illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. These, in turn, may affect their risk of having sleep issues.
Another possibility that’s being explored is the correlation between anxiety and insomnia. It’s known in health circles that Black people battle anxiety more than other ethnicities for varying reasons, including societal and environmental stressors. It’s possible that the combination of all these issues has led to higher incidents of disrupted sleep.
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What To Do About It
Now that you know that you might be faced with moderate to severe insomnia because of your bout with COVID-19, you might be wondering what to do about it.
The short answer is to talk to your doctor. Interestingly, the same studies that identified the higher risk of sleep disruption in Black people also found that the same people were less likely to bring their symptoms to a doctor’s attention. Those that do may even downplay the severity of their insomnia because they don’t want to complain.
When treating insomnia after COVID-19, your doctor will assess you for any underlying conditions while working to alleviate the sleep disorder. Since people with chronic illnesses such as heart disease can have trouble sleeping, that would need to be managed.
Your doctor may also recommend cognitive behavior therapy, which can be helpful for identifying stressors and giving you the skills to manage them. The aim is to ensure that you can manage the stress or anxiety that might be making your insomnia worse. Over-the-counter drugs like melatonin can also give you that extra boost to get a good night’s rest.
Many people who have had COVID-19 have gone on to develop long-term symptoms. While more research needs to be done, there’s some evidence that Black people might be more prone to certain symptoms than other ethnicities.
If you’ve been experiencing any changes in health since having COVID-19, it’s essential to consult with your doctor as soon as possible.