Good sleep means different things to different people. Some of us need a full 8 hours each night to function well, while others only need 4 hours.
Good sleep means different things to different people. Some of us need a full 8 hours each night to function well, while others only need 4 hours.
Sometimes, however, your sleep can get worse. But how can you tell if that change is normal or something you need to seek help for?
You can't, unless you know the signs to watch out for.
Take a moment to familiarise yourself with these signs because poor sleep can seriously affect your physical and mental wellbeing if left untreated. It can also be a symptom of an underlying condition that needs medical attention.
If you’re not sure how normal your sleep habits are, this article will show you when to worry about your sleep and who to get help from.
A normal night's sleep is made up of 3 parts:
For most people, a night of sleep involves 4 to 5 sessions of quiet sleep alternated with 4 to 5 periods of REM sleep. Most of us also wake up for 1 to 2 minutes approximately every 2 hours (this becomes more frequent towards the end of the night).
However, we usually don’t remember these short periods of waking if they last less than 2 minutes.
While we all have different sleep habits and requirements, there are sleep behaviours that suggest your sleep is of good quality and nothing to worry about. These include:
Find useful information on other areas of sleep with our .
If you're finding it difficult to get to sleep, stay asleep or function normally during the day because you feel tired, it’s worth seeing a doctor.
It’s even more important to see a doctor if you’ve had these sleep problems for more than a month and lifestyle changes such as cutting out caffeine and creating a relaxing bedtime routine haven’t helped.
A doctor may ask you about your sleep routine, daily alcohol and caffeine consumption, and your general lifestyle habits, such as diet and exercise. They will also check your medical history for any illness or medication that may be contributing to your
.A doctor may ask you to keep a sleep diary for a few weeks to help them understand your sleep patterns. It’s worth keeping a sleep diary even before you see a doctor. Sleep diaries can help you record patterns and characteristics of your sleep, which you can then discuss with a doctor.
All you need to do each day is write down:
A doctor will first try to identify and treat any underlying health condition, such as
, that may be causing your sleep problems. They may also discuss what you can do at home to help improve your sleep.You may be referred for a special type of talking therapy called
, which can improve your sleep in the long term. CBT is designed to help you avoid the thoughts and behaviours that may be affecting your sleep.If you continue to sleep badly despite these interventions, a doctor may prescribe a short course of sleeping tablets.
However, you’ll usually only be given enough sleeping tablets for a few days or weeks because these tablets can cause side effects, will not treat the cause of your insomnia and can become less effective over time.
You should now have a clearer idea of if you need to see a doctor about your sleep. If you are still unsure, ask yourself the following questions:
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s likely that you have
and you should see a doctor.Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.