Reasons for Waking Up at Night
Research from the National Library of Medicine indicates that approximately 35% of the population wakes at least once during the night three or more times per week. This can be due to a variety of factors including partner snoring, loud vehicles driving by, a change in room temperature, and more. Typically, the waking is brief, and you can fall back asleep easily.
However, if you wake up at the same time every night or you wake frequently and have a hard time going back to sleep, there may be more to it than your environment. Frequent waking typically occurs with physical/mental disorders and increases with age. In some cases, it may be due to a sleep disorder.
The sleep doctors at Breathing and Sleep Center can diagnose your sleep disorder and create an appropriate treatment plan to help you sleep peacefully through the night.
Reasons for Waking at the Same Time Every Night
There are several factors that could cause you to wake up during the night. Most of these factors impact your circadian rhythm, which can increase your chances of waking at the same time every night. Your circadian rhythm is an internal clock that causes the release of various hormones throughout the day/night to energize or relax your body/mind.
During the night, you cycle through four distinct sleep stages and, as you sleep, you are more likely to wake up at certain points than others. Some of the factors that can interrupt your sleep include:
Insomnia
Insomnia is the struggle to fall/stay asleep. The most common symptoms include:
- Difficulty falling/staying asleep
- Waking at least once during the night
- Waking early in the morning and being unable to go back to sleep
- Not sleeping soundly
- Feeling fatigued during the day
- Not getting enough sleep, despite going to bed early and setting up your environment to promote sleep
Stress
According to the American Psychological Association, stress can have a detrimental impact on sleep quality. Unfortunately, a lack of sleep impacts your ability to handle stress, which creates an endless cycle.
Age
Research has proven that as you age, your sleep quality and duration decreases due to changes in your circadian rhythm. Older adults typically take longer to fall asleep and wake up too early, unable to go back to sleep.
Hormones
Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause can impact your sleep quality.
Medications
Certain medications can impact your sleep quality and duration, including:
- Beta-blockers
- Diuretics
- Antidepressants
Lifestyle Habits
Certain lifestyle habits can impact sleep, including:
- Not maintaining a consistent bedtime
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Using electronic devices at night
Pain
One of the biggest factors in controlling chronic pain is getting adequate sleep. However, it can be challenging to get adequate sleep when you’re in pain.
Schedule Your Sleep Consultation Today
If you are struggling to get adequate sleep, discuss your condition with your medical provider. Many times, simple lifestyle changes and proper sleep hygiene can help improve your sleep quality and duration.
If you believe that your sleep issues could be due to a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, schedule your sleep consultation at Breathing and Sleep Center in Colorado Springs today. Our sleep doctors can diagnose and treat your condition so that you can get the sleep that you deserve.
