65% of people do not treat insomnia

More than 30% percent of the Mexican population suffers insomnia and of them, near the 65% do not receive treatment , according to figures from the director of the Sleep Clinic of the National Institute of Psychiatry, Alejandro Jiménez Genchi.

The results of the insomnia survey, applied by the Mexican Psychiatric Association and the Sanofi-Aventis laboratory, revealed that in cities such as the Federal District, where there are high rates of stress , this figure reaches up to 40% of those affected.

The presence of insomnia increases with age. In people older than 65 years, this condition can occur in up to 50% of the population, while in people with depression the problem reaches 90%.

65% of people do not receive treatment because they do not care and consider that it is caused by some other factor, without realizing that insomnia, as such, is a disease .

Social impact

This evil directly affects the patient's daily life. Encourages absence from work, increases the risk in traffic accidents, labor and domestic; impacts on personal relationships, decreases performance at work or school, the patient suffers from irritability and psychiatric disorders.

There is pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment, its combination promotes better results. Dr. Jimenez Genchi reported that the drugs currently indicated for insomnia, unlike barbiturates, almost do not create dependence and their side effects are minimal.

 

Sleep hygiene

It is a non-pharmacological treatment that helps patients recover the habit of restful sleep.

- Waking up at the same time every day. - Do not look at the clock during the night. - Avoid naps greater than 20 minutes during the day. - Do not exercise at night. - No Smoking. - Get up if it is not possible to sleep and use the bed only to rest, this will encourage the mental relationship between rest and bed.

 

Classification

The National Institute of Public Health defines 3 classifications.

  • Insomnia of conciliation: when the difficulty arises when trying to sleep.
  • Maintenance insomnia: when the patient sleeps, but wakes up frequently at night.
  • Terminal insomnia: the patient sleeps at night, wakes up too early and can not fall asleep again.

If the insomnia is repeated more than 15 days, it is recommended to consult a doctor.