Sleep Problems, Age 12 and Older

Topic Overview

Everyone has a "bad night" once in a while. Dogs barking, the wind howling, or overeating may make it difficult to sleep. It is estimated that 35% of adults have occasional sleep problems, which can have many causes.

Insomnia

The medical term for difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is insomnia. Insomnia can include:

• Difficulty getting to sleep (taking more than 45 minutes to fall asleep).
• Frequent awakenings with inability to fall back to sleep.
• Early morning awakening.
• Feeling very tired after a night of sleep.

However, insomnia usually is not a problem unless it makes you feel tired during the day. If you are less sleepy at night or wake up early but still feel rested and alert, there usually is little need to worry. Fortunately, home treatment measures successfully relieve occasional insomnia.

Occasional insomnia may be caused by noise, extreme temperatures, jet lag, changes in your sleep environment, or a change in your sleep pattern, such as shift work. Insomnia may also be caused by temporary or situational life stresses, such as a traumatic event or an impending deadline. Your insomnia is likely to disappear when the cause of your sleep problem goes away.

• Short-term insomnia may last from a few nights to a few weeks and be caused by worry over a stressful situation.
• Long-term insomnia, which may last months or even years, may be caused by:
  • Advancing age. Insomnia occurs more frequently in adults older than age 60.
  • Mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, or mania.
  • Medicines. Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause sleep problems.
  • Chronic pain, which often develops after a major injury or illness, such as shingles or back problems, or after a limb has been amputated (phantom limb pain).
  • Other physical problems, such as asthma, coronary artery disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • Alcohol and illegal drug use or withdrawal.
  • Cigarettes and other tobacco use.
  • Drinking or eating foods that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, chocolate, or soft drinks (for example, Coke, Pepsi, or Mountain Dew).

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is one of several sleep disorders. Sleep apnea refers to repeated episodes of not breathing during sleep for at least 10 seconds (apneic episodes). It usually is caused by a blockage in the nose, mouth, or throat (upper airways). When airflow through the nose and mouth is blocked, breathing may stop for 10 seconds or longer. People who have sleep apnea usually snore loudly and are very tired during the day. It can affect children and adults. See illustrations of a normal upper airway during sleep and a blocked upper airway.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that has distinct symptoms, including:

• Sudden sleep attacks, which may occur during any type of activity at any time of day. You may fall asleep while engaged in an activity such as eating dinner, driving the car, or carrying on a conversation. These sleep attacks can occur several times a day and may last from a few minutes to several hours.
• Sudden, brief periods of muscle weakness while you are awake (cataplexy). This weakness may affect specific muscle groups or may affect the entire body. Cataplexy is often brought on by strong emotional reactions, such as laughing or crying.
• Hallucinations just before a sleep attack.
• Brief loss of the ability to move when you are falling asleep or just waking up (sleep paralysis).

Parasomnias

Parasomnias are undesirable physical activities that occur during sleep involving skeletal muscle activity, nervous system changes, or both. Night terrors and sleepwalking are two types of parasomnias. Sleep can be difficult for people who experience parasomnias. While "asleep," a person with parasomnia may walk, scream, rearrange furniture, eat odd foods, or pick up a weapon.

Parasomnia can cause odd, distressing, and sometimes dangerous nighttime activities. These disorders have medically explainable causes and usually are treatable.

Restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that produces an intense feeling of discomfort, aching, or twitching deep inside the legs. Jerking movements may affect the toes, ankles, knees, and hips. Moving the legs or walking around usually relieves the discomfort temporarily.

The exact cause of restless legs syndrome is unknown. The symptoms of restless legs syndrome most often occur while a person is asleep or is trying to fall asleep. The twitching or jerking leg movements may wake the person up, causing insomnia, unrestful sleep, and daytime sleepiness.

When a sleep problem or lack of time keeps you from getting a good night's sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness may occur. While almost everyone experiences daytime sleepiness from time to time, it can have serious consequences such as motor vehicle accidents, poor work or school performance, and work-related accidents.

Sleep problems may be a symptom of a medical or mental health problem. It is important to consider whether a medical or mental health problem is causing you to sleep poorly. Treating a long-term sleep problem without looking for the cause may hide the real reason for your poor sleep.

Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a health professional.

Emergencies

Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Severe depression with a plan for committing suicide that includes all of the following:
  • Having the means, such as weapons or medicines, available to commit suicide or do harm to another person
  • Having set a time and place to commit suicide
  • Thinking there is no other way to solve the problem or end the pain

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Yes

Do you think your sleep problem may be caused by a change in your mental health, such as depression, anxiety, or stress?

See significance of a change in mental health if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Are you thinking of committing suicide but do not have a plan?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you think your sleep problem may be caused by a mental health problem?

Yes

Do you think your sleep problem has caused your mental health problem to become worse?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Has your sleep problem caused you to limit your usual activities for longer than 2 weeks despite home treatment?

Yes

Has your sleep problem failed to improve after 2 weeks of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you think your sleep problem may be caused by a medicine or other drug use?

See significance of medicine or other drug use if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you think your sleep problem may be caused by a medicine?

Note:

If you answered "Yes": Call the health professional who prescribed the medicine the same day to determine whether you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be necessary. If you are taking a medicine not prescribed by a health professional, stop taking the medicine. Call your health professional if you feel you need to continue taking the medicine.

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you think that your sleep problem may be caused by the use of alcohol, caffeine, or an illegal drug?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you, your partner, or your child have signs of sleep apnea?

See significance of signs of sleep apnea if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you, your partner, or your child have breathing problems while asleep?

Yes

Do you, your partner, or your child have episodes of not breathing (apnea), gasping, or choking during sleep?

Yes

Do you sometimes fall asleep at inappropriate times, such as while working or while driving?

Note:

If you have fallen asleep at an inappropriate time, do not operate a motor vehicle or engage in other activities that may cause you or someone else harm if you fall asleep until you see your health professional.

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you, your partner, or your child snore loudly and heavily while asleep?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you fall asleep at inappropriate times?

See significance of excessive daytime sleepiness if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you ever fallen asleep at an inappropriate time, such as while working or while driving?

Note:

If you have fallen asleep at an inappropriate time, do not operate a motor vehicle or engage in other activities that may cause you or someone else harm if you fall asleep until you see your health professional.

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Is daytime sleepiness causing problems at work, school, or home?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you regularly use sleeping pills or alcohol to help you get to sleep?

See significance of taking sleeping pills or using alcohol if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Are you using sleeping pills regularly and are not able to stop using them on your own?

Yes

Are you using alcohol regularly to cause sleepiness and are not able to stop using it?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Has your sleep problem continued after home treatment?

See significance of home treatment not solving your sleep problem if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you awaken from sleep frequently to urinate?

Yes

Does pain frequently awaken you from sleep?

Yes

Does the same medical problem frequently awaken you from sleep?

Yes

Has your sleep problem caused you to limit your usual daily activities for longer than 2 weeks?

Yes

Do you still have a sleep problem after 2 weeks of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Home Treatment

How much sleep a person needs varies from person to person. The number of hours you sleep is not as important as how you feel when you wake up. If you to do not feel refreshed, you probably need more sleep. Feeling tired during the daytime is another sign you are not getting enough sleep. The average total nightly sleep time is 7½ to 8 hours. Healthy adults can require anywhere from 4 to 10 hours of sleep. Many times, simple home treatment can help you get the sleep you need.

If your sleep problem does not require a visit to your health professional, establish a routine to promote good sleep habits:

• Set a bedtime and time to get up, and stick to them, even on weekends. This will help your body get used to a regular sleep time.
• Exercise during the day. Avoid strenuous exercise within 2 hours of bedtime.
• Wind down toward the end of the day. Don't take on problem-solving conversations or challenging activities in the evening.
• Take a warm bath before bed.
• Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet.
• Remove distractions, such as a clock, telephone, or radio, from your bedroom.
• Use a humidifier or "white noise" machine to block out background noise in your bedroom throughout the night.
• Try using a sleep mask and earplugs at night.
• If you take medicine that may be stimulating, such as antihistamines, decongestants, or asthma medicines, take them as long before bedtime as possible.
• Reserve the bedroom for sleeping and sexual activities so that you come to associate it with sleep. Go to another room to read, watch television, or eat.
• After getting into bed, make a conscious effort to let your muscles relax. Imagine yourself in a peaceful, pleasant scene. For more information, see the topic Stress Management.

When you cannot get to sleep, try the following:

• If you are still awake after 15 or 20 minutes, get up and read in dim light or do a boring task until you feel drowsy. Don't lie in bed and think about how much sleep you're missing or watch TV.

Avoid activities that might keep you from a good night's sleep:

• Do not take naps during the day, especially in the evening.
• Do not drink or eat caffeine after 3:00 p.m. This includes coffee, tea, cola drinks, and chocolate.
• Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Nicotine can disrupt sleep and reduce total sleep time. Smokers report more daytime sleepiness and minor accidents than do nonsmokers, especially in younger age groups. For more information, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.
• Avoid drinking alcohol. It may make you sleepy but also will probably wake you up after a short time.

Try a nonprescription medicine, such as Nytol, Sleep-Eze, or Sominex. Use nonprescription medicines wisely since they can cause daytime confusion, memory loss, and dizziness. Continued use of sleeping pills may actually increase your sleeplessness (rebound insomnia).

Melatonin is a popular herbal remedy for sleep problems. Experts disagree about its usefulness for sleep problems. Before using any treatment, it is important to consider the risks and benefits of the treatment. For more information, see the topic Melatonin.

If you have several nights of difficulty sleeping, review all of your prescription and nonprescription medicines with your health professional or pharmacist to determine whether the medicines you take could be the cause of your sleep problem.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment.

• Your sleep problem becomes worse.
• Your sleep problem lasts longer than 4 weeks.
• Your symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Prevention

Many sleep problems can be prevented. Avoid activities that might keep you from a good night's sleep.

• Use your bed only for sleeping. Do not read, watch television, or do paperwork in bed. Reserve the bedroom for sleeping and sexual activities so that you come to associate it with sleep.
• Do not take naps during the day, especially in the evening.
• Do not drink or eat caffeine after 3:00 p.m. This includes coffee, tea, cola drinks, and chocolate.
• Avoid eating large meals close to bedtime.
• Exercise during the day. Avoid strenuous exercise within 2 hours of bedtime.
• Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Nicotine can disrupt sleep and reduce total sleep time. Smokers report more daytime sleepiness and minor accidents than do nonsmokers, especially in younger age groups. For more information, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.
• Avoid drinking alcohol. It may make you sleepy but also will probably wake you up after a short time.
• Do not engage in stimulating activities at bedtime. Substitute reading or listening to relaxing music for watching television.

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

You can help your health professional diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• How long have you been troubled with a sleep problem?
  • What is your major symptom?
  • Does your sleep problem come and go or does it occur every night?
• What is your normal sleep pattern?
• What was happening in your life when the sleep problem started?
• Have you had a sleep problem in the past? If so, how was it treated?
• Do you have any other symptoms that may be related to your sleep problems? Symptoms may include:
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Numbness or weakness.
  • Excessive sweating.
  • Feeling like you are not able to get enough air (air hunger).
  • Restlessness, irritability, or feeling on edge.
  • Feelings of overwhelming anxiety or fear.
• What makes your symptoms better or worse?
• Have you ever taken prescription or nonprescription medicine to help you sleep?
• What other prescription or nonprescription medicines do you take?
• Are you using alcohol or illegal drugs, such as marijuana or cocaine, to help you sleep?
• What home treatment have you tried?
• Does your bed partner report that you snore or are restless in your sleep?
• Do you frequently fall asleep during the day, such as at work or while driving?
• Is your sleep problem interfering with your usual activities?
• Has anyone else in your family ever been diagnosed with any form of depression or sleep disorder?
• Do you have any health risks?

Before visiting your health profession, keep a sleep diary for at least 2 weeks. See an example of a sleep diary(What is a PDF document?).

Related Information

• Alcohol Abuse and Dependence
• Alcohol and Drug Problems
• Anxiety
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
• Depression
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Heartburn
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Insomnia
• Mental Health Problems and Mind-Body Wellness
• Osteoarthritis
• Peptic Ulcer Disease
• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
• Sleep Apnea
• Stress Management
• Weakness and Fatigue