Interrupted sleep belongs to the group of sleep disorders, which are conditions that affect an individual’s ability to obtain the rest and sleep that his body needs, which affects alertness and daily activity, but it is important to know that treating intermittent sleep is possible, and to learn about treatment methods, here are the details in the article.
Interrupted sleep treatment
The reasons behind interrupted sleep may be clear, such as a side effect of one of the types of medications, working in a patrol system, or drinking large amounts of caffeine. On the other hand, the reasons may be unknown in other cases. This makes the list of treatments for interrupted sleep diverse, and they include: It may include the following options:
Provide a quiet environment for sleeping:
The first way to deal with interrupted sleep is to provide an environment that is compatible with sleep, as it meets the following conditions:
- The room should be dimly lit, which can be done using blinds or a sleep mask.
- The room must be free of noise or other sources of disturbance, and earplugs can be used or white noise turned on.
- Set the temperature to be moderate.
- Make sure the pillows and blankets fit you and your type of sleep.
Improve sleeping habits:
Following irregular or non-routine sleeping habits clearly affects the quality of sleep, so be sure to follow the following habits to improve sleep habits and thus its quality:
- Make sure to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends and vacations.
- Do activities that help you relax before going to sleep, such as yoga or meditation.
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or eating large, fatty meals a few hours before bedtime.
- Limit the use of electronic devices before bed, and try to keep them out of bed as well.
Lifestyle modifications
Lifestyle modifications to be more healthy can help promote healthy sleep. Tips for these modifications can include:
- Try to eat dinner earlier.
- If you feel hungry late at night, be sure to eat a light, healthy meal that is easy to digest, and stay away from fatty meals.
- Avoid consuming sources of caffeine in the evening. Sources of caffeine include chocolate, painkillers, and soda.
- Make sure to exercise regularly, but avoid doing it late or before bedtime.
- Limit drinking fluids one to two hours before bed.
- Drink tea or herbal extracts that have the ability to improve sleep, such as: chamomile or valerian root.
Follow medical treatments
The previous changes may not be enough to treat intermittent sleep, so the doctor can prescribe some medications and supplements to combat the problem, examples of which include:
- Sleep aid medications, which include medications to treat insomnia, such as zolpidem and Eszopiclone.
- Melatonin, ginkgo, magnesium, theanine, or lavender supplements.
- Treating conditions that affect the quality of sleep, such as: medications to treat colds and allergies, medications to treat restless legs syndrome (Gabapentin), dental guards in the case of dental implants, devices that help improve breathing in the event of sleep apnea, and surgical operations.
When should you see a doctor?
Some people may follow methods of treating intermittent sleep, but their sleep quality does not improve, which necessitates the need to see a doctor, so do not hesitate to see a doctor in the following cases:
- Staying awake despite following the previous methods.
- Unexplained drowsiness and fatigue during daylight hours.
- Inability to perform daily activities due to fatigue