If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, many factors may be affecting you.
Probably only a few of them have anything to do with sleep disorders.
Analyze what you've done that day.
Did you have an argument with you significant other? Or did you forget about the 3rd slice of pizza you ate? I am not suggesting that you ignore the problem and not see your doctor unless you think you have a sleep disorder.
Poor-quality sleep is a medical concern no matter what its cause or duration.
Even if your problem is temporary (and especially if it's recurrent), your doctor can offer several suggestions to help you sleep better, and can prescribe non-addictive sleep medication for those nights when sleep won't come.
Poor sleep comes in a variety of forms.
Perhaps your head hits the pillow and you fall asleep within seconds, but awaken in the middle of the night and find yourself pacing the floor.
Or maybe you lie awake staring at your ceiling for hours wondering when sleep will ever come It could be you don't have trouble falling asleep, but wake up earlier than you'd like.
Or maybe you seem to sleep okay but awaken in the morning unrefreshed.
No matter how the problem presents itself, these disruptions result in less-than-optimal sleep, which means your brain isn't getting the sleep it needs to repair your body and recharge itself.
Check out the following list of common factors that can cause occasional sleeplessness.
But remember, even not-so-serious causes of sleeplessness can add up to a big problem if you allow your sleep problems to go unchecked.
oBattling nasal congestion oConsuming caffeine, especially close to bedtime oDealing with disruptive neighbors oExercising too vigorously close to bedtime oExperiencing pain from arthritis, headaches, illness, or any other cause oLying on an uncomfortable mattress or pillow oOverindulging in rich or spicy foods, especially close to bedtime oSharing your bed with kids and/or pets oSleeping in a cluttered bedroom oSleeping in an uncomfortable environment that's too hot or too cold oSmoking and/or drinking alcohol close to bedtime oStressing about work or school or getting overly excited about upcoming events like vacation or competition oTaking stimulating herbal supplements Chronic sleeplessness can be caused by a variety of problems.
If you're always sleepy during the day, or frequently have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night, you can be sure you're dealing with more than just a garden-variety sleep disturbance.
Or perhaps you know someone who always seemed exhausted, who walked around yawning and looking as if he might topple over for a nice nap at any given moment.
Then he is chronically sleepy.
People who are always sleep during daytime hours rarely get a full, restful night's sleep.
If you dread sleep instead of looking forward to it, that's a clue that your sleeplessness may be heading toward chronic status.
If you find yourself nodding off time and again during your work day.
No matter what activities you're engaged in at the time, that's another clue.
If your spouse claims that you snore louder than a buzz saw, chances are your snoring could be making sleepy as well.
Or if you wake up repeatedly during the night and need to be pulled out of bed in the morning, that's more than just occasionally.
You may not easily address these problems by just changing your sleep environment or cutting back on caffeine.
Chances are that you have an undiagnosed sleep disorder, and it's causing your ongoing problems with sleep and will need a doctor's help to pinpoint and treat your problem.