Connection between COVID-19 and Sleep Disorders: Examining the Association
In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of individuals have reported experiencing sleep disturbances, with insomnia being a common symptom. This article explores the potential causes, effects, and management strategies for long-term insomnia following COVID-19 infection.
The neurological effects of COVID-19, coupled with the stress and anxiety associated with the pandemic, can increase the risk of insomnia. Mood disturbances and daytime sleepiness can impair relationships with friends and family and make it hard to perform well at work or in school. During the pandemic, rates of insomnia have increased.
A 2021 study found that about 17% of participants with active COVID-19 had mild insomnia symptoms, and around 2% had symptoms of clinical insomnia. However, the potential long-term effects of COVID-19 insomnia are more concerning. Insomnia can lead to persistent sleep disturbances such as difficulty falling asleep, multiple awakenings during the night, and nonrestorative sleep, resulting in daytime fatigue, brain fog, cognitive impairment, and worsened pain.
Long COVID, a condition characterised by neurological symptoms such as brain fog, headache, dizziness, and blurred vision, can also lead to insomnia. The insomnia associated with long COVID is often biologically driven by brain inflammation and nervous system damage caused by the virus, which disrupts sleep-regulating chemicals like melatonin, distinguishing it from typical behavioural insomnia.
Long COVID insomnia can create a vicious cycle where poor sleep worsens other symptoms, which in turn impair sleep further. The incidence of long-COVID-related insomnia post-infection is reported to be as high as 60.6% in people without previous insomnia.
Management of long COVID insomnia typically requires a multifaceted approach. Traditional sleep hygiene measures may not be sufficient, and medical intervention targeting post-viral neuroinflammation and nervous system dysfunction is often necessary. Early intervention during acute COVID symptoms is crucial to prevent chronic insomnia. Addressing multiple symptoms simultaneously (e.g., fatigue, pain, cognitive symptoms) helps break the cycle of sleep disruption. Lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise have a protective effect against developing insomnia after COVID infection.
For persistent insomnia, it is important to talk with a doctor for a full evaluation and to learn about effective treatment options. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, which can help improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as prescription medications.
Sleep disturbances can lead to many other health problems, such as difficulty focusing or paying attention during the day, negatively affecting routine activities like driving a car, and increasing the risk of getting into an accident. Therefore, it is crucial to address insomnia promptly and effectively.
Beyond COVID-19, older age, a family history of insomnia, high levels of stress, female sex, taking daytime naps, consuming caffeine, using electronic devices just before bed, and certain mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression can be risk factors for developing insomnia.
In conclusion, long-term insomnia following COVID-19 infection results from biological changes in the brain and nervous system rather than purely behavioural causes and requires a multifaceted approach combining medical treatment and lifestyle interventions for effective management.
- The neurological effects of COVID-19, along with the stress and anxiety associated with the pandemic, increase the risk of insomnia, a common condition affecting many individuals post-COVID-19 infection.
- Insomnia, especially the long-term variety following COVID-19, can lead to persistent sleep disturbances, daytime fatigue, brain fog, cognitive impairment, and worsened pain, among other health issues.
- Effective management of long COVID insomnia often necessitates a multi-faceted approach encompassing medical intervention for post-viral neuroinflammation and nervous system dysfunction, coupled with lifestyle modifications like regular exercise, to help prevent and reduce the severity of insomnia symptoms.
