It happens to the best of us: one minute you are having the best night sleep, and in the next minute, you are wide awake and unable to get back to sleep. It is a scientific fact, that we need a good night's sleep in order to properly function during the day. While there are some people that are able to function on just a few hours of sleep each night, others need to get in at least eight hours. The average amount of sleep a person needs is around seven to eight hours. This list will give you some reasons why you may be waking in the middle of the night, and perhaps you can use it to do something about it if you suffer from this issue.
Do You Often Wake Up In The Middle Of The Night? This Is What Might Be Happening.
By
Missy aka Tizzy in
Health and Fitness
On 13th November 2017
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Temperature Problems
One reason that you may not be sleeping through the night is that you are too warm or too cold. Sleep.org says that the best temperature for a good night's sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees F. If it is too cold, your muscles will tighten up and could cause pain. If it is too warm, you can suffer from excessive sweating and hot flashes.
Nocturia
This is a condition where you have to wake up frequently in order to urinate. This may be due to bladder problems or a hormone imbalance. The most frequent cause of this condition is drinking too much before bed time. Try to limit your liquid intake in the hours before bed time.
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Noise Pollution
This can come from many different sources. A snoring bed mate is the most obvious but old pipes, sirens, loud neighbors, and the motor noises from your appliances can also be a source. The best thing you can do is invest in a good pair of earplugs or white noise devices, which would include a fan.
Consumption of alcohol
There are some that believe an alcoholic drink right before going to bed can help you sleep. That is an old wive's tale. While taking a drink can cause you to fall asleep faster, as your body processes the alcohol in your bloodstream, you are overworking your body leaving your sleep to be less restful.
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Sleep Apnea
This issue is more common in men over the age of 50, but it can affect anyone with an obstructed airflow. This is also common in obese people. Your body will wake up when your snoring or obstructed breathing paths fail to provide your body with the proper amount of oxygen. The use of a CPAP machine can remedy this situation as it pushes positive airway pressure through your mouth or nose depending on the type of mask used.
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Depression or Anxiety
An overactive mind is generally to blame for waking in the middle of the night or having issues falling asleep. Panic attacks and nightmares can wake you up and cause you to worry even more making it impossible to fall back to sleep. If you have this issue, you should seek the opinion of a medical professional. There are treatments and medications that can alleviate these problems.
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Restless Legs Syndrome
RLS can cause strange sensations in your feet and legs as you are trying to fall asleep and stay asleep. Some people feel like their legs are aching, feel like something is crawling on them, or muscles throb or spasm. Warm baths and massages before bed can help, but serious cases need to be taken care of by a doctor.
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Heartburn
Heartburn, scide reflux, and GERD (Gastroesopheal Reflux Disease) are all common conditions in adults. The best thing you can do is avoid eating heavy meals before bedtime, avoid alcohol, and stay away from acidic drinks like orange juice, soda, and coffee.
