The Hidden Toll of Stress: How Insomnia and Dizziness Are Linked — and What to Do About It

[medi K / HEALTH IN NEWS] Office worker Lee, 42, has been battling dizziness and sleepless nights. A new work environment and crushing workload have left him tossing at night; during the day, staring at screens triggers neck stiffness, vertigo, nausea, and headaches. The vicious cycle of skimping on sleep has pushed his physical and mental exhaustion to the breaking point.

Insomnia triggered by environmental shifts or accumulated stress falls into three main categories: difficulty falling asleep (sleep-onset insomnia), frequent awakenings (sleep-maintenance insomnia), and waking too early without returning to sleep (early-morning awakening).

According to South Korea’s Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, roughly 510,000 people sought care for insomnia in 2017; by 2021, that figure had climbed to 710,000 — a nearly 40% jump in four years. Stress, excessive caffeine, and prolonged screen time are among the culprits.

Many patients arrive at clinics after long-term use of sleeping pills has led to side effects. Pinpointing the root cause and tailoring treatment to the individual’s constitution and symptoms is critical. Approaches differ for menopausal women, exam-stressed students, or overworked professionals; forcing sleep is less effective than restoring the body’s natural rhythm.

Dizziness often accompanies chronic insomnia, yet its origins are rarely singular. Patients may initially blame anemia or fatigue, but autonomic nervous system dysfunction, central or peripheral vestibular disorders, and psychological factors frequently converge. Even when MRI scans are normal, functional imbalances can perpetuate symptoms.
Accurate diagnosis is the cornerstone of dizziness management; relying solely on medication risks chronicity. Tinnitus, headache, and nausea interact, so treatment must address whole-body equilibrium rather than isolated complaints.



In traditional Korean medicine, dizziness is termed “hyeonhun” and classified by sensation — spinning (rotational vertigo) or floating (non-rotational). Rotational vertigo typically stems from vestibular issues in the inner ear and may include tinnitus and hearing loss. Non-rotational forms tie to stress, arrhythmias, reduced cerebral blood flow, or hyperventilation — all linked to systemic tension.

Korean medicine views insomnia and dizziness through the lens of qi and blood circulation and autonomic stabilization. Patterns include stagnant qi, deficiency of qi and blood, retained damp-phlegm, or stress-induced internal heat; herbal prescriptions are matched accordingly.

When tension headaches coexist, therapies ease cervical muscle rigidity or clear phlegm. Chest oppression or digestive upset prompts formulas to relieve thoracic stagnation. Comprehensive testing identifies precise triggers, and individualized care boosts recovery rates for both insomnia and dizziness.

Patients often inquire about insomnia in specific groups — menopause, students, office workers — along with causes, treatments, coping strategies, sleep-promoting foods, and deep-sleep techniques.

Rather than leaning on hypnotics or sedatives, consult clinicians to confirm causes and combine targeted therapy with lifestyle change. Consistent sleep schedules, adequate rest, light walking or stretching, warm baths, and shoulder-neck massage improve circulation and ease symptoms.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, which agitate the nervous system and disrupt balance. Warm compresses on the eyes and cheeks or clearing nasal congestion can enhance cerebral oxygen delivery and lessen dizziness.

Headaches and insomnia can be transient, but if they recur weekly or prompt chronic pill use, seek professional evaluation. Early, integrated management breaks the downward spiral and swiftly restores quality of life.

Kim Kuk Ju / press@themedik.kr

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