Hazards of insomnia and the effects of acupuncture treatment on insomnia.
10.1016/S2095-4964(16)60248-0
- Author:
Yu-fang LIN
1
;
Zhi-dan LIU
1
;
Wen MA
2
;
Wei-dong SHEN
2
Author Information
1. Graduate School, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
2. Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Acupuncture Therapy;
Anxiety;
etiology;
therapy;
Depression;
etiology;
therapy;
Heart Diseases;
etiology;
Humans;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders;
complications;
psychology;
therapy
- From:
Journal of Integrative Medicine
2016;14(3):174-186
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Insomnia is a common disease in modern society; it is made worse by increasingly fierce competition in the workplace and elsewhere, along with rapid economic and social development. Sleep disorders can result in changes in serum biomarkers and decreased immunity, and may cause maladies such as depression and cardiac diseases, as well as many other somatic symptoms. Western medications for treating insomnia can easily lead to addiction and other adverse effects. Fortunately, acupuncture can ease the symptoms of insomnia. This review summarizes the hazards associated with insomnia and the use of acupuncture in its treatment. Furthermore, the authors introduce an effective and low-cost method of treating insomnia with acupuncture. This review indicates that insomnia poses a major threat to mental health through its effects on serum components, heart function and the immune system of patients, which may lead to other physiological disorders. Anxiety and depression are the two main negative emotions affected by insomnia. Acupuncture, which has showed effectiveness against insomnia and its complications, may be an effective and complementary method for the treatment of insomnia and associated maladies.