Stating that especially depression, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease can lead to disorders in falling and maintaining sleep, experts emphasize the importance of personalized treatment in sleep problems. According to experts, it is necessary to avoid consuming tea and coffee shortly before bedtime and not to bring electronic devices to bed.

Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Neurology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barış Metin said that insomnia can be a harbinger of psychiatric and neurological diseases.

Sleep needs are different for everyone

Defining insomnia as "the inability to start sleep despite the need to fall asleep or waking up quickly after falling asleep", Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barış Metin said, "A healthy person has a unique sleep time. While this period is usually 8 hours, it may differ from person to person. While some people can rest with 5 hours of sleep, some people may need 10 hours of sleep."

Technology deprives sleep

Stating that insomnia has many different causes, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barış Metin said that the use of technology is one of the reasons that lead to insomnia. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barış Metin said the following:

"For example, the most common situation we see in the elderly is waking up quickly from sleep due to the shortening of sleep time with age. Young people can also keep themselves sleepless by spending a lot of time in front of the computer. The discomfort we call restless legs syndrome can manifest itself with restlessness, pain and desire to move the legs at night, making it difficult to fall asleep.

Inability to fall asleep can be a sign of depression

Some patients may also make excessive efforts to fall asleep, unknowingly making it difficult for them to fall asleep. In many psychiatric disorders, especially depression, falling and maintaining sleep may be impaired. Excessive coffee consumption and the use of stimulant drinks can also cause sleep disturbances. In addition, patients with sleep-disordered breathing may sometimes experience untimely awakenings from sleep due to inability to breathe."

Disease may underlie sleep disturbance

Stating that insomnia can also be a harbinger of a neurological disease, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barış Metin said, "Sleep disorders are frequently seen in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In addition to these, restless legs syndrome and some diseases affecting the nerves, which we call neuropathy, can prevent falling asleep. People with sleep disorders should be examined in detail neurologically for these reasons," he warned.

Pay attention to these recommendations for sleep hygiene

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barış Metin also listed the things to be done for a healthy sleep as follows:

"Going to bed at the same time every day, avoiding stimulating foods in the evening, avoiding foods that are difficult to digest during and after dinner, not sleeping in a lighted environment, not looking at cell phones, tablets and computers in bed are among the rules of sleep hygiene and help us sleep a healthy sleep. In addition, some people take small naps during the day and have difficulty sleeping at night. If insomnia is a problem at night, small naps during the day should be avoided."

Do not drink tea and coffee late at night

Drawing attention to the connection between nutrition and sleep, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barış Metin said, "Stimulant foods such as tea and coffee can disrupt sleep, especially when taken late in the day. In addition, fatty and spicy foods can cause digestive problems and reflux and disrupt sleep quality. For a healthy sleep, it is better to go to bed on an empty stomach. However, sometimes a glass of warm milk can be useful for sleeping."

Sleep treatment should be personalized

Stating that insomnia is a condition that can develop due to many reasons, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barış Metin said, "All of these causes can be treated. An individual with insomnia should be examined in detail in terms of sleep health, neurological and psychological disorders and general medical condition. Since it is not possible for a single treatment to cure all people with insomnia, personalized treatments should be developed."