Sleep is a state designed for the body to rest and gain strength. If this process is disrupted, then the person cannot fully function – he does not have enough energy, fatigue is increased, and an inability to concentrate arises. Many people complain about the lack of a state of vigor, despite the normal duration of sleep – the body does not seem to have time to rest. Similar complaints can be heard from both the elderly and the young. Feeling tired after a night’s rest may indicate that the person has boredom sleep syndrome.

Disease statistics

This is a regular state of sleepiness that persists not only after waking up, but also for most of the day. It is characterized by the inability to fully rest. According to statistics, 5% of the world’s population is affected by the disease. Most of them suffer from respiratory arrest during sleep (apnea) and snoring.

How does the syndrome arise?

How well rested people feel in the morning is not only influenced by the number of hours of rest. Sleep phases play an important role. The main two are fast sleep, in which sleep is shallow, weak, and slow – deep sleep.

In adults, the phases alternate as follows:

• Slow, which goes through the stages of drowsiness, falling asleep, deep and very deep sleep. The body begins to rest. Breathing becomes slower and deeper, pressure and body temperature decrease. The muscles relax. The person reacts less sharply to potential external stimuli, because all reflexes are dulled.
• Fast phase. During it, the brain is able to process information, sort out the necessary and unnecessary. The body does not function slowly, but in full force. This is the time to wake up and start a full day.

If a person is awakened during the fast phase, he will feel vigorous, energetic, able to get down to business. This state does not depend on the number of hours of rest. But awakening in a slow phase is fraught with lethargy, drowsiness, apathy, irritability, inability to concentrate. Such sensations can occur even if you sleep for a sufficient number of hours (from 7 to 8).

Who is at risk

The mechanism of the syndrome is not fully understood. That is why it is impossible to calculate who exactly may have the disease. But there are groups of people who need to be on the lookout. Among them are residents of large cities. The rhythm of life in them makes you experience stress, which affects, among other things, the quality of sleep.

Most often, the syndrome is diagnosed in women. This is due to the fact that many of them, in addition to work, are engaged in household chores – washing, cleaning, cooking, raising children. Such a load can lead to chronic fatigue after sleep and the inability to fully rest.

The main factors affecting the onset of the syndrome:

• depressive conditions (including postnatal depression);
• an increased level of anxiety;
• fear of sleep, frequent nightmares;
• respiratory arrest (apnea);
• mental disorders;
• pregnancy, difficult childbirth;
• neuroses;
• snoring;
• taking sedatives;
• lack of a daily routine;
• unventilated, uncleaned bedroom;
• constant overwork (irregular working hours combined with household chores);

In some cases, sleep disorders are due to decreased activity. Even those who do not work and are not overloaded with household chores, rarely go outside, move a little, may have problems falling asleep, feeling “overwhelmed”. The reason is the discrepancy between activity and rest, addiction to passive pastime. In this case, it is worth diversifying everyday life – walking more often, playing sports. Even running in the morning or doing a little exercise can help you feel better.

The main signs

The symptoms of TSS are similar to those of other medical conditions.

• Those who regularly fail to get enough sleep report fatigue throughout the day, irritability.
• Many are unable to concentrate on work and perform direct duties.
• Poor rest affects sexual activity – it leads to a decrease in libido, which causes problems with your sex life.
• Memory and appetite may deteriorate.
• Attention should be paid to general fatigue – its level rises. Physical activity, which used to be easy, becomes almost impossible.
• Problems with falling asleep appear – the process is delayed, heavy thoughts disturb, insomnia may torment.
• It can be difficult to find a comfortable position, because of this, a person tosses and turns for a long time. He often wakes up at night due to disturbing dreams, tingling in the hands and feet, and breathing problems.

The main symptom that immediately indicates the syndrome is regular problems when waking up, a feeling of “weakness”, headache, fatigue, and poor quality of rest.

Differential diagnosis

Not all doctors distinguish the syndrome as a separate diagnosis. Those who suffer from tiring sleep cannot experimentally test themselves for the disease. There is no blood test yet to recognize it. But scientists are investigating the manifestations of the syndrome, the possibility of identifying it in laboratory conditions.

When studying acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), special immune cells were found in the body of carriers. They were also found in those who suffer from exhausting sleep. In another group of subjects who were not carriers of AIDS, these immune cells were not found.

If the theory of scientists is confirmed, it will be possible to diagnose the syndrome of tiring sleep – it will be enough to donate blood to detect immune cells in it.

While the disease does not lend itself to standard diagnostics, which include ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. If a sleep disorder is suspected, differential diagnosis is used.

It includes the delivery of various tests to exclude other disorders – anemia, problems with alcohol, drugs, infections. In addition, it is recommended to do an electrocardiogram and a chest x-ray to help identify problems with the work of the heart.

Which doctor to contact

For symptoms of the syndrome, see a neurologist. Sleep disorders are almost always associated with disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system. The neuropathologist diagnoses the cause of the disorder, and the consequences can be eliminated.

You should also consult a doctor if there are no clear reasons indicating the syndrome, but you are worried about dizziness, mood swings, and sudden attacks of anxiety. The specialist will conduct an initial examination, and after passing the tests, he will make a diagnosis.

Another, deeper examination may be required if the examination and test results do not allow you to name the exact cause of the disorder.

Treatment

Getting rid of the disease means normalizing the sleep cycle. It’s not enough to just go to bed and get up at the same time (although, of course, it is also important). You need to start by identifying the reasons. Only by eliminating them, you can arrange for yourself a regular, full-fledged rest, giving new strength.

Some people mistakenly grasp the opportunity to normalize sleep using sleeping pills. This is not a good idea – almost any pill should be taken only after a doctor’s prescription. Drugs can only do harm by exacerbating sleep disturbances. Even the harmless tincture of valerian should not be abused – any means, if taken incorrectly, affect the state of health.

For relaxation, an hour or two before bedtime, you can drink a cup of warm milk mixed with honey. The doctor may advise herbal teas (if the person does not have an individual intolerance or other contraindications). You should not drink the liquid right before bed to avoid frequent trips to the toilet.

Remember that you cannot diagnose yourself and “prescribe” the pills yourself, the cycle of taking them. Medicines are prescribed only by a doctor after examination.

It is in your power to make sure that the sleeping conditions are suitable (clean bedding, a comfortable mattress, a ventilated room).

It is worth tracking the reasons that interfere with the rest. Overworking regularly – talk to your boss, ask for a schedule change, do not stay late at work on your own initiative. Family problems – discuss this with loved ones, try to resolve conflicts, do not be silent about your feelings.

Many situations can be solved if you pay attention to them in time, do not ignore them, thinking that everything will work out by itself.

Prophylaxis

Taking care of your health prevents most problems.

• Do not overload yourself by working 12 hours a day while trying to solve all the household chores.
• If you are an office worker and spend a lot of time at the desk, try to get out for walks more often, go to the gym to maintain muscle tone. Visit the pool – swimming will give the necessary load on the muscles, and will help you relax, escape from worries.
• Prefer healthy foods. If you overeat fatty high-calorie meals at night, you won’t have to wait for sleep problems for a long time. Watch out for snacks: chips, salted nuts are not the best option, it is better to eat an apple or a slice of whole grain bread with boiled meat.
• Vanity, haste, winding yourself up are the enemies of healthy sleep. Don’t take all the little things personally. If you are nervous about a problem, it will not help solve it, but will only worsen your health. When you cannot cope with stress on your own, you should consult a doctor.
• One of the top tips is to surround yourself with people you like. If there are those nearby who constantly complain about life, spoil the mood, condemn for any reason, this leads to stress, dissatisfaction with their lives, problems with the nervous system. The environment indirectly affects the state of health, so you should be more careful about it.
• Do not avoid doctors – they diagnose pathologies and help to heal. The sooner the problem is discovered, the easier it is to get rid of it.