More possible causes of poor sleep
Other illnesses
Various illnesses keep some people awake. For example, illness causing pain, breathlessness, leg cramps, indigestion, cough, itch, hot flushes, dementia, mental health problems, etc.
Stimulants
These can interfere with sleep. There are three common culprits.
- Alcohol - many people take an alcoholic drink to help sleep. Alcohol actually causes broken sleep and early morning wakefulness.
- Caffeine - which is in tea, coffee, some soft drinks such as cola, and even chocolate. It is also in some painkiller tablets and other drugs (check the ingredients on the drug packet). Caffeine is a stimulant and may cause poor sleep.
- Nicotine (from smoking) is a stimulant, and it would help not to smoke.
Street drugs
For example, ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis and amphetamines can affect sleep.
Prescribed drugs
Some drugs sometimes interfere with sleep. For example, diuretics ('water tablets'), some antidepressants, steroids, beta-blockers, some slimming tablets, painkillers containing caffeine, and some cold remedies containing pseudoephedrine. Also, if you suddenly stop taking regular sleeping tablets or other sedative drugs, this can cause 'rebound' poor sleep.
Unrealistic expectations
Some people just need less sleep than others. If your sleep pattern has not changed, and you do not feel sleepy during the day, then you are probably getting enough sleep. Older people and people who do little exercise tend to need less sleep. Some people think they should be able to nap during the day - and sleep eight hours at night!
A vicious cycle
Whatever the initial cause, worry about poor sleep, and worry about feeling tired the next day, are common reasons for the problem to become worse.
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