While this site is geared towards night sweats, which is a major sleep disruptor, there are other factors you may not expect that may be disrupting your sleep as well. If you aren’t sleeping well because of night sweats or another issue, finding ways to improve your sleep can be vital to your physical and mental health. Are one of these sometimes unexpected culprits disrupting your sleep?

Pain

Obviously significant pain will make it more difficult for you to sleep well, but even mild pain can have an impact on your ability to sleep well at night. Mild pain can include a headache, mild joint pain or muscle cramps.

Even if the pain or discomfort isn’t enough to wake you up at night it can impact your sleep by reducing the time you spend in a deep sleep. If this is happening on a regular basis it can cause a sleep deficit. If the pain goes from mild to more severe it can also lead to night sweating.

If you suspect mild pain is keeping you from getting a good night sleep consider taking an appropriate over the counter medication.

An Undiagnosed Medical Condition

An inability to sleep well at night can be a symptom of a sleep disorder or a medical condition. If you are concerned about a possible medical condition it is important to consult your physician.

One of the more common undiagnosed medical conditions that can disrupt sleep and even cause night sweats is gastroesophageal reflux disorder, more commonly known as GERD. Stomach acid is more likely to back into the esophagus when lying down, so it is important to be aware of this when you are trying to get to the bottom of your sleeping problems.

Dietary Habits

Making sure you have good dietary habits to promote sleep can help reduce issues with GERD, and help you sleep better at night. Eating big meals or spicy foods too late can disrupt your sleep and lead to acid reflux. Drinking caffeinated beverages in the evening (or even late afternoon) can make going to sleep more difficult as well.

While alcohol may make you feel sleepy, it can often disrupt your sleep if you overindulge or drink too close to bed time. You may go to sleep fairly quickly, but you will likely wake up later when your blood alcohol level drops. Overindulging can also cause alcohol night sweats.

Medications Or Supplements

Certain medications and even supplements can disrupt sleep. Beta-blockers for heart problems or high blood pressure can keep you awake, as well as steroids prescribed for asthma. Antidepressants have also been known to disrupt sleep. Pain relievers may make you sleepy, but some can lead to sleep apnea. Even some supplements like guarana, rhodiola or ginseng can keep you awake if they are taken too late in the day as they are stimulants.

Sometimes just taking certain medications earlier in the day can help. Talk to your doctor and your pharmacist if you have concerns about any of your medications or supplements.

Pets In Bed

Pets can be comforting to snuggle with in bed, but studies show they can disrupt sleep. If this is happening to you try to make adjustments. Try to define a place for them on the bed, adjust feeding schedules, remove clanking collars at night or make a nice, cozy bed for them right next to your bed.

Being Too Exhausted or Stressed

It seems counter intuitive to say that being too exhausted or fatigued can disrupt your sleep, but it can. It’s one thing to feel sleepy and quite another to feel completely exhausted. Usually when you are exhausted it is because of some sort of strenuous or stressful activity. It can take your body a while to wind down after activities that caused the exhaustion. The same goes for stress or emotional upset close to bed time.

Spend some time trying to relax before going to bed instead of going straight to bed after a stressful or exhausting day. A little quiet time before bed can help you have a better night of sleep, once your body is ready to go to bed.