Traditional medicine approaches to insomnia and sleep disorders

According to Dr. Võ Văn Long from the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, insomnia in traditional medicine is categorized under terms such as ‘Thất miên’ or ‘Bất mị’. While many people experience difficulty sleeping, the underlying causes can vary significantly based on the imbalance of yin-yang, qi, blood, and organ functions.

Common patterns include:

- Stress and anger: This can lead to liver qi stagnation, causing difficulty falling asleep, irritability, vivid dreams, headaches, or chest tightness. - Heart and blood deficiency: This may result in shallow sleep, frequent waking, forgetfulness, and anxiety. - Spleen dysfunction: Insomnia accompanied by fatigue, poor appetite, and a pale complexion may indicate issues with qi and blood production. - Heart-kidney disharmony: Frequent waking accompanied by internal heat, night sweats, or hot sensations in the hands and feet may suggest kidney yin deficiency.

Because different patterns require different treatments, medical professionals emphasize the need for a comprehensive clinical evaluation rather than treating all sleep issues with a single approach.