The 10 Biggest Sleep Problems and How to Fix Them

Roxy123

4 days ago

I have sleep apnea , so I use a Cpap machine.while the machine is on and in use you do not have to use the bathroom till you get up I'm the morning. I took 5 mg of Abien and it worked for a while. Now I have taken 10 mg for the past two nights and I a, tired but cannot sleep. I am wide awake.It is very upsetting and annoying. I want to sleep but can't. I have developed all things mentioned above,Comstipation, is number 1 problem. Taking Miralas2 times a day and Colase 2 times a day,Originally told Ambien caused Diarreha.

IWUScott

17 days ago

I can add personal experience concerning RLS and anemia. I am 51 years old, and a member of the Red Cross' 7 gallon blood donor club. A couple of years ago I began experiencing RLS symptoms; that being my legs "jumping" up in bed. It took a few months for me to realize the onset of this problem coincided with being rejected for blood donating because my iron count was too low (anemia). Taking an iron supplement not only allowed me to resume my regular blood donations; it also eliminated the RLS problem.

****SALAR

3 months ago

Hello, It is great and very helpfull Thanks

Sho B

3 months ago

Hello Foxtrot, thank you for your question. Take a look at our ask and answer section for ways to alleviate sleeping issues for you and your spouse. If you are still curious after you read through our resources, feel free to ask a question of your own for our experts to answer.

Due to a prostate problem I have to go to the toilet about every 2 hours at night and since my wife is a light sleeper I wake her up every time so she doesn't get sufficient sleep. Is there anything either of us can do to correct this problem. I've take medication for my problem but it only lengthens my sleep period by approximately 1/2 hour.

Chocola

6 months ago

If I'm hungry when I go to bed I bake a potato in the micro and eat it without butter or toppings,or sometimes a glass of milk but that is liquid and I will have to use the bathroom during the night.The potato is better,anyway, since I have RLS and need the potassium.

I have trouble sleeping at night. It is fine and dandy to say sleep in the dark. But what if you're scared of the dark. I need a light on to go to sleep. And if the power goes off and the lights go out I'm wide awake.

helpful suggestions for before bedtime.

Elenita

6 months ago

These are the same old recommendations you get every time somebody mentions sleep problems! I've been to four sleep specialists and they all say the same thing "apnea". You need a machine. The blasted machine does keep my oxygen level a little higher nad less snoring, but it sure doesn't help the sleep! I still only get 2-3 hours most nights and on a really good night, maybe 4!

sleepdisorde­rs

7 months ago

I feel strongly learning the topic, however I need to learn more on this topic. Carry on your updates..!! Regards

MartyT

8 months ago

Thanks so much for sharing this helpful information! Your readers may be interested in my blog post, "Tips for Coping with Sleeplessness in Grief," http://www.griefhealingblog.com/2010/11/tips-for-coping-with-sleeplessness-in.html

Emily M.

8 months ago

Hello Waking up to­o early, Thank you for your question. A few suggestions Melanie gave in the article for eliminating light were hanging light-blocking shades for light coming in through windows, or by blocking small lights (like tiny lights on fire alarms) with duct tape. I hope that helps -- Emily | Community Manager

Waking up to­o early

8 months ago

I have light coming in my windows that I should block.

Emily M.

9 months ago

Hi hulahooper, Thanks for your comment. In my experience as well, long naps (longer than 30 minutes) typically interfere with my sleep schedule as well especially if I take them later in the day. Take care -- Emily | Community Manager

hulahooper

9 months ago

I MIGHT BE WRONG, BUT I BELIEVE ONE OF THE REASONS FOR POOR NIGHTS SLEEP AT LEAST I THINK IT IS FOR ME IS THAT SOME TIMES WHEN I TAKE A NAP IN THE AFTERNOON IT INTEREFERES WITH MY NIGHT SLEEP LIKE I SAY I COULD BE WRONG. CAN YOU COMMENT ON THIS? thank you

4KidsMomTexa­s

9 months ago

I loved this article! It had everything I've always wanted to know. I've been taking everything from over the counter meds to heavy sleep prescriptions for years and I'm sick of it!!! This article has good information, covers a wide variety of issues, and good solutions.

Emily M.

10 months ago

Hi anonymous, Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear about your situation. You can look around in our sleeping problems section for tips on how to get better sleep and possible answers for why you aren't getting the best sleep you could: (http://www.caring.com/sleep-problems). I also suggest posting in our Ask & Answer section if you haven't already, ( http://www.caring.com/ask). Take care -- Emily | Community Manager

my honey is kept awakemost nights due to my constant loud talking while i sleep. is there help for us?

Emily M.

10 months ago

Hi annaclleen, thanks for your comment. That does sound embarrassing, but realize it's not your fault! Lack of sleep can so strange things to the body. At this point I urge you to speak with your doctor as we cannot diagnose your medical issue and get the proper help you require. Feel better! -- Emily

annaclleen

10 months ago

not sure, but I've tried all of these things, and still only get about 1-2 hours sleep@ night, then actually dream during my waking hours. It's sort of embarrassing when I am talking to someone, but dreaming at the same time, then say something not related to the person I have been talking to!

Lyndes

11 months ago

You haven't mentioned STRESS - it's the biggest cause of sleep problems that I have come across. Also, because of the nature of stress and how it affects the body, it triggers many of the problems listed in 1-10 above.

povdds

11 months ago

What a source of suffering for so many people! Thanks for the article. Just a few suggestions: First, several good books and resources are worth mentioning, notably P. Hauri's No More Sleepless Nights, G. Jacobs' Say Goodnight to Insomnia, and resources from the Mayo Clinic and Harvard Med School websites. Second, under the snoreguard section, beware -- a snoreguard can cure snoring but not sleep apnea (a potentially serious medical condition). Third, under the "bruxing" section, the idea that "bite problems cause bruxism" is very controversial -- actually, because our jaws move in 3 dimensions, everyone has a "bite problem" ("malocclusion") when they sleep or lie horizontal, and anyway, our teeth are constantly shifting throughout life, so any "fix" will be temporary (and possibly expensive). Nightguards are a great idea, though, because they can help protect the teeth, but you might find inexpensive ones available through pharmacies like Walgreens work as well as an expensive custom one.

If you have trouble breathing, ask the doctor about turbinate surgery to clear your air passages.

Sick n Tired­

12 months ago

I have many of the same problems, I have sleep aphnea, sinus drain and my atrial fibrulation acts up when I turn on my left side. I took something to get to sleep last night and then I fell out of the bed, started having chest pains and soreness in my chest. I am not going to the hospital because when I get there , like kids, I feel relaxed bc I know they can stop any major problems and my body purrs like a kitten. I am listening to bible tapes to get to sleep, yet, they don't last all night, or I have anxiety over some problem and it does me little good.

Sick n Tired­

12 months ago

The physical techniques, I hope I can remember them tonight, yet it is more my bladder and racing thoughts than lights that bother me, and after 2-3 hours of sleep, I am wide awake.

Widda

12 months ago

The information on restless leg syndrome - I've had this particular problem since I was a teenager. Thanks for the updated information! :)

Emily M.

about 1 year ago

Hi w.b, Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear you've been having sleeping trouble lately, that can be very frustrating. You can look around in our sleeping problems section for tips on how to get better sleep and possible answers for why you aren't getting the best sleep you could: http://www.caring.com/sleep-problems. You also may want to see your doctor as trouble sleeping could indicate other serious problems. Good luck -- Emily | Community Manager

w.b.

about 1 year ago

sleep is getting annoying. I find no rest at all. I am a sleep with one eye open people. I will never change that. But, something is getting in my way and I get no rest at all for months. I want a simple explination. go for it.

Guddi

about 1 year ago

Good article

Y Ducey

about 1 year ago

I have tried all of the above. I am willing to try again. I have 3 sibling and son that have the same problem. I always open to any more suggestions.

I have problem falling asleep. I have tried a lot of things but it only work first couple of times and then it starts all over again. Now i am using this unusual technique. That is - my husband have to do it though - massaging my hands and fingers.. i really fall asleep very fast! hihi it sounds weird that this could help but it really does! some of the advices of e-book -fall a sleep in 15 min. http://www.fallasleepin15minutes.com- also are very helpfull.. especially when i have a busy day after work. Is how to relax your body and mind. But yeah most of the time i don't have to time to do that because i have to get up early :P It's basicly my own fault not taking the time to relax.. but yeah who has time these days?

The isolation/relaxation technique can work well. I practice this after finishing a yoga routine and it definitely makes my whole body relaxed and calm.

I suffer from chronic sinus drainage. Allergy testing and antihistamines were fruitless. No reason or cause for the near-continuous drainage has been established, but this drainage keeps me awake and sometimes wakes me after I fall asleep. Changing sleeping positions also is not helpful.

Homerpez

over 1 year ago

Missing is 11) Heavy Alcohol Consumption. We're not talking enough wine to make you feel drowsy, we're talking enough Vodka to give you an odd, inhuman "chemical fuel". You drink, you pass out, then you wake up and are tired, but unable to go back to sleep. This is the Vodka at work (or as I write, the Rum). Your body just decides to start burning alcohol as fuel, instead of resting. Solution: AA.

Im told I talk, Yell And Fight, in my Sleep- Ive woken before sitting up and saying something that i hardly ever remember. Ive appoligized to my husband about this he says its ok but the only thing that bothers him is when im talking, and he asks me a question, I sometimes answer back! Ive woken myself hitting my cat that sleeps on our bed with us! Horrible. What do i do?

GinnyKofAA

over 1 year ago

ANONYMOUS: Believe it or not this actually works. I told a friend who is an engineer and it drives him crazy but he has no more leg cramps at night. Take a bar of soap and place it at the foot of your bed under the mattress pad so it doesn't get shoved out from under it. You will not have any more leg cramps. He didn't believe it nor did I when I first heard of it, as I am a Registered Nurse and could find no "science" behind it. However, I have not had any leg cramps sleeping in my bed for over 20 years. I take a hotel soap when traveling. Good luck.

EXCELLENT INFORMATION VERY WELL PRESENTED

tater

over 1 year ago

SheShe--maybe analyzing why these wakings are occurring. I have heard that stress, abnormal sleep brain-wave patterns, alchohol/caffeine/ other foods eaten in the evening(such as sharp cheese), menopause, and ambient room temperature can cause this, as well as some medications. Maybe doing an internet search or talking with a physician or sleep center could help? Good luck--it must be frustrating.

sheshe37

over 1 year ago

Ideas on what to do when waking in the middle of the night.

bethblueeyes­65

over 1 year ago

this whole article helped me,thank you very much!godbless!

iddawg

over 1 year ago

I'm being wakened by mom when I go to sleep. She usually starts calling me at 10:00 P. then at 11:30 P. then at 2:30 A, then at 4:00 A, then at 7:30 A. The times above are approximate. Because of this I am getting very little sleep. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. I hope one day that her sleep pattern will change.

What do you do for leg cramps at night? This was not covered under your top ten,

tater

about 2 years ago

A very dark room complete with "blackout lining" to our curtains has really helped me to sleep, and stay asleep. Dark curtains did not help, nor did blinds. The total blackout fabric (mine is solid, opaque white, sold at a fabric store)totally occludes light and I have it behind our decorative curtains in teh bedroom. Also helps keep the room cooler during summer. You can buy them premade at stores like Penney's and probably others.

denac

over 2 years ago

The problem I'm having is not falling asleep - it is staying asleep. Between menopause symptoms and stress - it caused my body to shut done and just rest for months - after a hospital stay for 6 days that found nothing. Also found out I was hypglycemic. Sleep study determined mild apnea. But still having problems staying asleep and getting that great restorative deep sleep - the kind where you have dreams!!

octoman

over 2 years ago

I do not drink tea or coffee I take a banana (as a snack) to bed with me,during the night I often go to loo during the day I can go for 7 hours without the urge to go.Every night I have a 10 hour audio to listen to,it sends me to sleep time,and time again.not music but interesting subjects which takes my mind off the thoughts that keep me awake.I am 79 so there are many ways to solve lifes problems.