"Waking up in the middle night typically isn't cause for concern. The average person wakes up several times throughout the night, but often doesn't notice because they're able to fall back asleep quickly (and they're awake only for a few seconds). However, frequent night awakenings could also be a sign of insomnia, which has been found in 40% of older adults. But before you self-diagnose, it could be helpful to take a look at why you're waking up in the middle of the night."
"Noise: This could be from the sound of traffic outside and birds chirping, or your partner snoring next to you (or, as was often the case for me, a noisy upstairs neighbor). "The brain continues to register and process sounds during sleep, and as such, noise can be a major sleep stealer," explains Terry Cralle, registered nurse and representative of the Better Sleep Council."
"Alcohol: A glass of wine with dinner may not seem like a bad idea, but as alcohol metabolizes in your system, it can disrupt your sleep, which can lead to tossing and turning and frequent awakenings. "Alcohol consumption is known to reduce the time spent in REM [rapid eye movement] sleep and is also considered a diuretic, which may lead to middle-of-the-night bathroom trips," says Cralle."
Waking during the night is common; the average person briefly awakens several times and often falls back asleep quickly. Frequent awakenings can be a sign of insomnia, which affects about 40% of older adults. Environmental noise continues to register during sleep and can disrupt rest. Alcohol intake disrupts sleep architecture by reducing REM sleep and acts as a diuretic, increasing nighttime bathroom trips. Eating close to bedtime can provoke heartburn and acid reflux that wake sleepers. Psychological stress and daytime pressures can also trigger earlier-than-usual awakenings. Evaluating these factors can help identify reasons for middle-of-the-night arousals.
Read at Fortune Well
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