Do you find yourself waking up at the same time every night?
Whether it’s midnight or 3 a.m., a sleep expert weighed in on why you might be seeing the same time on the clock again and again.
“It might be that over time your brain and body have become conditioned to wake up at a certain time. It’s just become like clockwork,” explained Alicia Roth, PhD, sleep psychologist for Cleveland Clinic.
To help break this cycle, try experimenting with your bedtime.
Dr. Roth suggests going to bed 30 minutes to an hour later to see if you’re losing your sleep drive by calling it a night too early.
If that doesn’t work, frequently waking up can also be a sign of a disorder like insomnia, nocturia (waking up more than once a night to pee), or sleep apnea.
Dr. Roth said both conditions can lead to being overly tired throughout the day and other health consequences.
So, when should you seek help?
“When your sleep issues start to impact the way you’re functioning, that would be the best time to have a detailed discussion with your primary physician. Obtain a referral to see a sleep specialist to talk about what issues you’re having, and what solutions there might be,” she said.
Dr. Roth adds that properly treating any long-term sleep issues is key for both you and your partner to get a good night’s sleep.
Source: ccnewsservice@ccf.org,Feb. 19, 2024
