It’s no secret that one should obtain 7 to 9 hours of sleep every single night. However, it’s also important that the kind of sleep you have is the restful kind. Such can be hard to attain if you keep waking up in the middle of the night.
Have no idea why it keeps on happening? No worries! This article will discuss some of the most common reasons why you are constantly roused from your sleep. So keep on reading.
You Have Anxiety or Panic Attacks
It’s not uncommon for people who suffer from anxiety or panic attacks to have sleep-related issues. That’s something to expect if the mind is constantly filled with anxious or terrifying thoughts.
There’s also what’s referred to as nocturnal panic attacks. Just like what the name says, they are intense bouts of panic attacks while the individual is fast asleep, causing him or her to wake up in terror. Definitely, that can keep the person from having a good night’s sleep, something that can worsen anxiety or panic attacks.
You Pee a Lot
Unless you are wearing adult diapers, you have no choice but to drag yourself out of the bed and head to the bathroom to pee each time that your bladder wants to empty itself — even in the middle of the night.
Such is what’s called by doctors as nocturia. There are many different things that can cause such. It’s actually a very common symptom of diabetes. People who suffer from urinary tract infections or (UTIs) may also have the frequent urge to pee in the middle of the night. Experts say that nocturia can also be due to aging.
You Suffer From Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that’s quite common. Unfortunately, many of those who suffer from it do not even know that they have it, until such time that health complications show up.
What keeps sleep apnea from letting you enjoy restorative sleep is the fact that it can cause repeated cessations in your breathing — sometimes hundreds of times per night! Sleep apnea is a serious matter as it can cause your blood oxygen to drop to dangerous levels, thus wreaking havoc to your brain.
You Have Acid Reflux
According to health authorities, acid reflux tends to worsen at night. Its various symptoms such as heartburn and sharp stomach pain can definitely rouse you from sleep or even keep you from falling asleep.
The problem with acid reflux is it can act up during bedtime whether your stomach is full or empty. Having oily, acidic or spicy foods especially before you hop into bed can definitely cause an acid reflux attack. The same is true if you go to bed with your stomach full of acid and devoid of any food to digest.
You Consume Alcoholic Drinks
If you think that waking up in the middle of the night can be solved by having alcohol before you sleep, better think again. Actually, it’s something that can worsen the sleep problem.
Studies have shown that alcohol can keep anyone from having rejuvenating sleep. It can even wake you up several times throughout the night without you remembering about it, thus causing you to feel sleepy and exhausted the next day. If you suffer from acid reflux, drinking alcohol especially at night is definitely a no-no.
Now that you know some of the culprits behind your inability to take a restful sleep that’s uninterrupted, you will find it easier to deal with the problem. If you have done everything you could and still you keep waking up in the middle of the night, it’s a good idea for you to consult your doctor. If after assessing you he or she feels that you need to seek the help of a sleep specialist, then you will be referred to one.
