Technology for Better Sleep: Can It Help?

Technology for Better Sleep

Today, we humans cannot live without technology. So this raises the question of whether technology can actually help people sleep. In this article, we will tell you what you need to know about this question.

Technology can suppress the hormone melatonin

In the past decade, social life has changed rapidly thanks to the introduction of technology. It is true. Everyone has at least one TV, smartphone, and other gadgets in their home. This proves that our daily activities are driven by technology. Our lives now revolve around technology in almost all aspect. If you are having trouble sleeping because of technology, it is not unusual.

The blue light emitted from technology devices like smartphones, tablets, and televisions can affect our sleep. The reason is that the blue light emitted from these devices can limit the production of melatonin. A hormone called melatonin signals your brain to start wanting sleep. Reducing this hormone can make it harder for you to fall asleep and stay asleep.

They will stimulate your brain and disrupt your sleep

In fact, keeping technology next to your bed can disrupt you in many ways that you might not think of. For example, checking your email before bed can distract you, which can make it harder for you to fall asleep. Also, if you watch a certain movie before you go to bed, the movie will trick your brain into having the arousal it needs to fully experience it. This will interfere with your ability to fall asleep.

But these can help you sleep better

This may sound strange to those who have trouble falling asleep because they are addicted to their phones. But when used correctly, technology can really help you sleep better. Some people fall asleep when they have a certain sound around them. For example, white noise (noise with many frequencies with the same intensity), the sound of the ocean, or the sound of a waterfall. For such people, there are applications that can be downloaded to their phones to help them fall asleep more easily.

With the continuous advancement of technology, you can easily download applications that can help you sleep better without paying any money. So in this situation, technology can not only help you sleep better but also cover the amount of money you would have to invest in a device that produces the sounds you need to listen to to help you fall asleep.

Besides making sounds, another way technology can help you sleep is by monitoring your sleep patterns to see if you’re experiencing any irregularities. Another tech item is a cool mist humidifier. Many people can’t sleep without one.

Insomnia is something that everyone will experience at some point in their lives. If you are having trouble sleeping due to technology, you need to see a qualified professional as soon as possible to avoid further complications.

Insomnia

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a condition in which you have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. It is a long-term illness that prevents you from falling asleep even though you want to. When you have insomnia, you often wake up restless and have difficulty functioning during the day.

How common is insomnia?

According to the World Health Organization, 27% of people have difficulty sleeping. It is more common in women than in men. This is because women are more likely to be moody and more prone to stress and depression. It can happen at any age. However, the older you get, the more likely you are to have trouble sleeping at night. It can be managed by reducing the risk factors that contribute to the condition. See your physician for further details.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

Insomnia is usually characterized by difficulty falling asleep. However, there may be other symptoms that are caused by sleep deprivation. Common symptoms of insomnia include:

  • Difficulty falling asleep at night
  • Waking up at night or waking up early
  • Not feeling rested after sleeping
  • Feeling tired and sleepy during the day
  • Feeling irritable, depressed, or anxious
  • Trouble concentrating or remembering
  • Headaches or fatigue
  • Stomach and bowel problems
  • Worried about falling asleep

Other symptoms that are not on the above list might exist. If you are concerned that you may be experiencing any of these symptoms, you should discuss them with your doctor.

When should you see a doctor?

If you are unable to function well during the day due to insomnia, you should see a doctor. Only then can the cause of your insomnia and how to treat it be determined.

Reasons

What causes insomnia?

There are many factors that can cause insomnia. Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression can also cause insomnia. Even in healthy people, some daily habits can cause insomnia.

  1. Stress: Thinking about work, school, health, and family can keep you up at night, keeping you awake at night.
  2. Anxiety: Anxiety can interfere with sleep and can lead to insomnia.
  3. Poor sleep habits: This includes not going to bed at a regular time, doing physical activities or playing games before bed, sleeping in an uncomfortable bed, and doing other things in bed, such as having sex.
  4. Caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol: Drinking these in the afternoon and evening can make it harder to fall asleep at night. This is because nicotine has a stimulating effect on the brain. Alcohol blocks the deep stages of sleep and often wakes you up in the middle of the night.
  5. Overeating in the evening: Eating too much can make it uncomfortable to lie down and make it difficult to fall asleep. In addition, heartburn can interfere with sleep because food and acid from the stomach flow back up into the esophagus.
  6. Medical conditions: Other medical conditions you may have can also cause sleeplessness. For example, chronic pain (such as muscle pain and arthritis), breathing problems (such as GERD and heartburn), or frequent urination (such as diabetes and nocturia).
  7. Medications: Some medications can cause sleeplessness. Antidepressants, corticosteroids, blood pressure drugs, and other OTC pharmaceuticals are among examples.

Possibilities

What makes me more likely to have insomnia?

Several variables enhance the risk of sleeplessness. For example,

  • Gender: Women are more likely to have insomnia. Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle and after menopause are the main factors.
  • Age: Insomnia is more common as you age, due to changes in sleep patterns and health.
  • Psychological problems: If you have a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Your job: If you work at night or have a shift that requires you to work at night, you may be more likely to have insomnia.
  • Travel: You are more likely to have insomnia when you travel long distances. Traveling across time zones might also result in insomnia.

Diagnosis and treatment

How is insomnia diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you a series of questions to help diagnose your condition. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire to determine your sleep-wake patterns and your level of daytime sleepiness. Your doctor may also give you a sleep diary to keep track of your sleep.

If your doctor notices any underlying cause for your insomnia, they will perform psychological tests to find the cause. In some cases, if there are any test items available, they may also need to monitor and record your body movements while you sleep. For example, brain waves, breathing, heart rate, eye, and body movements.

How is insomnia treated?

You may need to change your sleeping habits and medications to help you sleep better. Your doctor can introduce you to behavioral therapies, such as sleep-inducing techniques and sleep-restoring techniques.

If these methods and treatments don’t work, your doctor may prescribe medications to help you sleep. Your doctor may prescribe sleeping pills, such as zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), or ramelteon (Rozerem), to help you sleep. However, sleeping pills are a last resort, so it’s important to know which ones are for short-term use and which ones are for long-term use. Your doctor may also prescribe over-the-counter medications, which include antihistamines, which can cause drowsiness and have side effects.

You can also read :Coffee Sensitivity Explained: Causes and Solutions

Lifestyle changes and home remedies

How can lifestyle changes and home remedies help treat insomnia?

The following lifestyle and home remedies may help you manage your insomnia, depending on where you are in your treatment.

  • Exercise and stay active.
  • Check your medications. If you are taking any medications regularly, check with your doctor to see if they are causing your insomnia.
  • Avoid naps: Naps of no more than 30 minutes are fine. Don’t nap after 3 hours.
  • Control caffeine and alcohol; do not use nicotine.
  • Avoid eating large meals or drinking fluids before bed.

If you have any questions, talk to your doctor to find the right answer for you.

 

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