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Sleeping Problem - Hyperawareness or hyperarousal
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Nervous System Disorders
Question #11715
6 hours ago
15

Sleeping Problem - Hyperawareness or hyperarousal - #11715

Mathivaanan

1 night in july this year i had distrupted night. Start the next day i wake up every time I start to fall asleep, triggered by awareness of my own breathing or snoring. I’ve been evaluated by ENT, and apnea was ruled out, but the problem persists. I believe this may be related to sleep-onset hyperarousal or a conditioned nervous system response. So i not sure if it is because of my nervous systemorhormone imbalance.

Age: 39
Chronic illnesses: No
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Dr. Perambalur Ayyadurai Rohith
I am a general physician with more than 10 yr of clinical experiance, and in this time I worked with patients from all age groups, from young kids to elderly with multiple chronic issues. My practice has been wide, but I gradually developed deeper intrest in diabetology. I spend much of my day focusing on prevention, early diagnosis and management of diabetes, using lifestyle modification, medical therapy and regular monitoring. Many patients come worried about complications, and I try to explain things in simple language, whether it is diet, excercise, or understanding lab reports, so they dont feel lost. I also conduct detailed diagnostic evaluation and use evidence based protocols to make sure treatment is reliable and updated, even if sometimes I double check myself when results dont match the clinical picture. Apart from regular OPD practice, I gained strong experiance in occupational health. Over years I worked with multiple companies handling pre employment checks, annual medical exams, workplace wellness programs, and ensuring compliance with industrial health and safety standards. It is diffrent from hospital practice, but equally important, because healthy workers mean safe and productive workplace. I run medical surveillance programs and health awareness sessions in collaboration with corporates, and this also gave me exposure to preventive strategies on a large scale. For me, patient care is not just treatment but building trust. My career revolve around preventive medicine, ethical clinical practice, and continuous learning. I keep myself updated with modern medical protocols, but I also value listening to patient worries, since medicine is not only about lab values but also about how a person feels in daily life. I make mistakes in words sometimes, but in my work I try to be very precise. At end of day, my aim is to provide care that is accessible, evidence based and truly centered on patient well being.
6 hours ago
5

Hello Mathivaanan,

Your sleep disturbance seems linked more to hyperarousal of the nervous system rather than apnea, since ENT ruled that out. This means your brain is staying alert when you try to sleep, often triggered by self awareness of breathing or snoring.

1. Sleep hygiene - Follow a fixed sleep schedule, avoid screens, caffeine, and heavy meals at night.

2. Relaxation- Deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation before bed reduces hyperawareness.

3. Behavioral therapy - Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT I) is highly effective in breaking the conditioned pattern of awakening.

4. Medical evaluation - Thyroid, hormone, and nervous system balance can influence sleep, so get blood tests if not already done.

5. Short term support – In some cases, mild sleep aids or anxiety calming medicines may be prescribed by a doctor for temporary relief.

6. Reassurance - This is usually not dangerous, but persistent, so addressing stress and lifestyle factors helps long term recovery.

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Dr. Arsha K Isac
I am a general dentist with 3+ years of working in real-world setups, and lemme say—every single patient teaches me something diff. It’s not just teeth honestly, it’s people… and how they feel walking into the chair. I try really hard to not make it just a “procedure thing.” I explain stuff in plain words—no confusing dental jargon, just straight talk—coz I feel like when ppl *get* what's going on, they feel safer n that makes all the difference. Worked with all ages—like, little kids who need that gentle nudge about brushing, to older folks who come in with long histories and sometimes just need someone to really sit n listen. It’s weirdly rewarding to see someone walk out lighter, not just 'coz their toothache's gone but coz they felt seen during the whole thing. A lot of ppl come in scared or just unsure, and I honestly take that seriously. I keep the vibe calm. Try to read their mood, don’t rush. I always tell myself—every smile’s got a story, even the broken ones. My thing is: comfort first, then precision. I want the outcome to last, not just look good for a week. Not tryna claim perfection or magic solutions—just consistent, clear, hands-on care where patients feel heard. I think dentistry should *fit* the person, not push them into a box. That's kinda been my philosophy from day one. And yeah, maybe sometimes I overexplain or spend a bit too long checking alignment again but hey, if it means someone eats pain-free or finally smiles wide in pics again? Worth it. Every time.
1 minute ago
5

Hi Mathivaanan,

Most likely it is: conditioned hyperarousal of the nervous system. You can do :

Try breathing exercises (4-7-8) Try CBT 1 behavioural therapy Instead of “trying to fall asleep,” tell yourself “I’ll just lie here awake and breathe.” This reduces pressure. Do regular exercise No Caffeine / Nicotine

If persistent,please consult a sleep medicine specialist or psychiatrist in person to assess your hormones and stress And they will start therapy accordingly.

Feel free to ask I hope this helps Thank you

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