Skyline University Nigeria

Insomnia Among University Students

Insomnia is a universal epidemy amongst university students, and it is related to a number of psychiatric disorders. Insomnia is a disorder condition in which an individual has trouble sleeping or staying asleep, and it is linked to a number of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. More than 100 million Africans of all ages are sleep deprived. Sleep is very essential. Sleep deprivation can have an adverse effect on academic and occupational performance, interpersonal relationships, mental well-being, and safety.

According to numerous recent studies, insomnia is a communal psychiatric dilemma among college students and university students. Further studies have established that poor sleeping habits are prevalent among undergraduate students across the globe. Sleep quality and quantity have changed as a result of the advancement of technology, such as the use of social media, the internet, and so on, and there is a significant relationship between insomnia and the use of these technologies.

Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, but the quantity of sleep needed to properly function varies from person to person. The quantity and quality of your sleep are equally important. Insomnia is more common in women than in men. Pregnancy and hormonal changes can interfere with sleep. Insomnia becomes more prevalent after the age of 60. Older people may be less likely to sleep soundly due to physiological changes associated with aging, along with health issues or medications that disrupt sleep.

Many factors, including psychological, environmental, and physiological issues, can contribute to the development of insomnia Work, relationships, and financial difficulties, amongst others, are examples of life stressors, including unhealthy eating and sleeping traditions and chronic pain caused by arthritis, fibromyalgia, or other diseases. Hormone fluctuations are caused by thyroid disease, menopause, menstruation, or other factors. There is no specific test for diagnosing insomnia. It is critical to review your sleep history with your doctor in order to diagnose insomnia. Students’ physical and mental health can be negatively affected by sleep deprivation in the long run.

Sleep medications should only be administered on rare occasions or for a short period of time, as prescribed by doctors. They are not the first line of treatment for chronic insomnia. Changes in your lifestyle, before going to bed, avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol. Reduce your intake of caffeine, such as coffee, soda, and chocolate, throughout the day and especially at night. Remove smartphones, TVs, laptops, and other screens at least 30 minutes before going to bed. Stop smoking. Make your bedroom a dark, quiet, and cool haven. Relax with relaxing music, a good book, or media.

Although the pervasiveness of insomnia amongst people is increasing on a daily basis, university students have acknowledged less thoughtfulness than others. According to one study, one-third of the adult population in various countries suffers from insomnia symptoms, while others found a high dominance of insomnia without using any preventive and regimented measures, and still, others only use quantitative scales to assess the rate of insomnia.

Reference

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Darchia, N., Oniani, N., Sakhelashvili, I., Supatashvili, M., Basishvili, T., Eliozishvili, M., Maisuradze, L., & Cervena, K. (2018). Relationship between sleep disorders and health related quality of life—Results from the Georgia SOMNUS study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(8), 1588. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph15081588

Riemann, D., Nissen, C., Palagini, L., Otte, A., Perlis, M. L., & Spiegelhalder, K. (2015). The neurobiology, investi- gation, and treatment of chronic insomnia. The Lancet Neurology, 14(5), 547–558. https://doi.org/10. 1016/S1474-4422(15)00021-6

Jiang, X.-L., Zheng, X.-Y., Yang, J., C-p, Y., Chen, Y.-Y., Zhang, Z.-G., & Xiao, Z.-J. (2015). A systematic review of studies on the prevalence of insomnia in university students. Public Health, 129(12), 1579–1584. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2015.07.030