Why Can’t I Get Enough Sleep?

The alarm goes off, and you’d rather be listening to nails on a chalkboard right now, because at least with that, it wouldn’t signal that it’s time to get up. Once again, you made sure to go to bed at a decent hour, and once again, after sleeping through the entire night, you still wake up feeling completely exhausted.

What is the problem? No matter how much you sleep at night or how many naps you take, it just never seems to be enough. Should you be concerned? What is causing this? Today, we reveal what may be impacting your sleep quality and preventing you from getting the rest you deserve night after night.

Sleeping with a Screen

Many people like to doze off with the TV on or music playing on their computer, and while this may help them fall asleep initially, the problem is that the light and sound created by the device continues to stimulate the brain. Instead of getting to focus on all the processes necessary for restorative sleep, part of the brain is basically still awake taking in stimuli. This is why many medical professionals will recommend that people who have issues sleeping should turn off all electronics about an hour before bed time. This lets your brain relax so you can drift off into a deep, restful sleep.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a bit of a double-edged sword if you’re constantly tired. You need it to remain awake, but it can also prevent you from going to or staying asleep. Soda, coffee, and tea are all typical drinks people enjoy every day, but too much of them can really affect your sleep quality. Many people like to drink a cup of tea before going to bed, but if it has caffeine, it can easily cause you to sleep shallowly because your body is still stimulated. Be sure to cut the caffeine a few hours before bed, and if you still want a warm glass of tea, there are plenty of yummy caffeine-free options to choose from.

Sleep Apnea

This is by far the most serious reason you may not be getting the sleep you need. When a person has sleep apnea, they briefly stop breathing multiple times a night because their airway becomes blocked by the soft tissues in the mouth and throat. This causes the body to panic and partially wake up to restore breathing, and this can happen up to 100 times an hour. This prevents the body from getting the quality of sleep it needs, and often, a person will completely sleep through these breathing cessations and have no clue they are happening.

If you follow the tips above and still can’t seem to get enough sleep, now is the time to get professional help. You can either schedule an appointment with your family doctor to tell them about your sleep issues, or if you want to do something right now, you can take our short sleep test. It’s only 8 “yes or no” questions, and it will let our team know your likelihood of having sleep apnea in Jupiter. Once you have completed it, our team will evaluate your answers and contact you within 24 hours with what you should do next. From there, we’ll walk you step-by-step through the process of discovering the source of your sleeping issues and getting the appropriate treatment.

Don’t Wait

Sleep deprivation, whether caused by sleep apnea or not, is extremely dangerous. After just a few nights of lackluster sleep, the mind and body can begin to break down, and with sleep apnea, your chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke skyrocket. If you can’t seem to get enough sleep no matter what you do, please take our sleep test, and we’ll quickly be able to get to the root of the problem and help you get the treatment you need. With our help, you’ll soon be able to wake up in the morning with enthusiasm and energy again.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a board-certified sleep dentist who has provided safe, effective sleep apnea treatment in Jupiter, FL for over 30 years. If you’ve had persistent sleep issues for more than a few weeks, he’s ready and able to help you. To get in contact with him, click here.