Insomnia is one of the many consequences of a corona infection. According to a new study, it doesn't even need to be severe.
Hanoi – No two corona infections seem to be the same. The course of the disease ranges from barely noticeable to fatal. An infestation with the pathogen Sars-CoV-2 or the various variants that have emerged can cause a wide variety of symptoms. This also includes insomnia.
Study on Corona: Insomnia is possible even with milder symptoms
A team of researchers from Asia has now discovered in a paper that even relatively mild corona infections can be associated with problems sleeping. The study was on the website Frontiers in Public Health published that deals with topics such as health or medicine.
Of the 1,056 former corona patients examined who did not require hospital treatment and were interviewed within six months of the infection, 76.1 percent complained of insomnia. 22.8 percent of participants even reported severe insomnia.
Only people who had not been diagnosed with insomnia or psychiatric disorders before the corona infection took part in the study between June and September 2022. They were men and women from Vietnam, all of whom were at least 18 years old. Originally, 34,850 people were contacted.
Insomnia after corona infection: Depression and anxiety are apparently risk factors
A third of the test subjects found it more difficult to fall asleep, their sleep was worse and their sleep duration was shorter. 52.9 percent of those surveyed were awake more often at night. Participants who suffered from depression or anxiety were particularly affected by insomnia. Existing chronic illnesses and a higher level of education were identified as further risk factors.
Participants with a university degree were 1.85 times more likely to have insomnia than those with formal, school-based education. Among those with chronic illnesses, the risk was 2.96 times greater than for those without these illnesses. The probability was significantly higher for employees in the health care sector than for employees in other professions; no significant difference was found for students and people without work.
The connection between insomnia and depression or anxiety could not be fully investigated because it was a cross-sectional study, as Huong Thi Xuan Hoang explained. He is the head of the research group from Vietnam, China and Singapore and also points out possible biases in the selection of test subjects and their memories. However, at that point in time – in the middle of the pandemic – the most efficient and practical strategy was to write to people online.
Video: Researchers fear organ damage after corona infection
Corona and insomnia: After infection, people apparently pay more attention to their health
According to the scientists, the fact that the proportion of people suffering from insomnia among the study participants was significantly higher than in surveys of corona patients who had to be treated in the clinic could be explained by the fact that they had only gotten through the infection a few weeks or months before . Accordingly, the risk of chronic pain, chronic illnesses and so on increases during this period psychiatric disorders.
In addition, insomnia is rarely reported, so the number of unreported cases in the general population is probably large. The research team therefore points to an increased personal feeling of health among former corona patients with regard to insomnia.
Corona infection leads to insomnia: expert gives tips and also mentions a therapist
“Don’t think it’s normal if you suffer from insomnia after a corona infection,” warns Hoang.
The scientist, who works at Phenikaa University in Hanoi, also offers a few tips: “If insomnia doesn't bother you that much, you can help with a few simple measures: take a warm shower before going to bed, turn off your cell phone at least an hour before going to bed “Turn off, exercise for 30 minutes a day, and don’t consume caffeine after 4 p.m.”
However, if insomnia causes real problems, over-the-counter sleeping pills could help. If these don't bring any improvement, you should consult a sleep therapist, advises Hoang.
Another group of researchers found out how long the… Immune protection for the newer corona variants stops. A new after-effect of infection has also been discovered that can affect men and women. (mg)
#mild #infection #coronavirus #insomnia
