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Can stress disrupt sleep patterns during the night?

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Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

As a 34-year-old woman working in an IT firm, I am struggling with excessive daytime sleepiness and nighttime insomnia. These issues have significantly impacted my mental health as my productivity has declined, and I frequently receive reprimands from my boss for dozing off during work hours. How can I effectively cope with idiopathic hypersomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness, especially given the demanding nature of my job?

Please help.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query, and I can understand your concern.

I suspect that you are experiencing sleep disturbances at night, which lead to tiredness and daytime sleepiness. If your sleep issues are caused by stress, I can offer assistance. Otherwise, you may need to undergo a polysomnography test to identify the underlying cause of your sleep disturbances or hypersomnia (for diagnosing idiopathic hypersomnia). There are some guidelines to manage both your stress and sleep disturbances that you should consider following. Doing so can be beneficial for you.

General health and well-being:

  1. You should exercise daily for 30 to 45 minutes, such as going for a walk at least.
  2. Practice meditation for 20 minutes daily. Simply sit in a comfortable position, focus on your normal breathing, and allow your thoughts to come and go without forcing them. This will help you relax.
  3. Consume healthy, home-cooked meals and avoid junk food.
  4. Ensure you drink enough water throughout the day.
  5. Spend quality time with friends and family daily, whether in person or via video calls if you are living away from them.
  6. Engage in creative hobbies like reading, journaling, painting, drawing, or learning new skills, languages, or musical instruments.
  7. Aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Sleep hygiene:

  1. Set a fixed sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
  2. Avoid engaging in activities other than sleep while in bed.
  3. Reserve your bed for sleep purposes only; do not use it for activities like watching television or using your phone.
  4. Wear loose and comfortable sleepwear.
  5. Have a light dinner at least three hours before bedtime.
  6. Limit daytime naps to a maximum of 20 minutes.
  7. Avoid using mobile phones, televisions, or laptops at least half an hour before bedtime.
  8. Maintain a comfortable room temperature, neither too cold nor too hot.
  9. Ensure your bed and pillow are comfortable and supportive.
  10. Minimize noise and disturbances in your sleeping environment.
  11. Consider drinking warm milk with turmeric before bedtime.
  12. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, or any other substance abuse.
  13. Live life actively and with purpose.
  14. Cultivate boldness and confidence in your daily activities.
  15. If needed, you can consider taking a 3 mg tablet of Melatonin for sleep disturbances, which is available over the counter and does not require a prescription.

I hope this information helps you. Feel free to ask further queries.

Thank you.

Investigations to be done

Investigations to be done include a complete blood count (CBC), random blood sugar (RBS) levels, thyroid profile, levels of vitamin B12 and vitamin D3, and polysomnography.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At July 9, 2024
Reviewed AtJuly 9, 2024

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