Why Do You Wake Up In The Middle Of The Night? These Are The Most Common Causes.

Nighttime waking can be related to stress, anxiety, or bad habits. Experts explain how it affects your health and what to do.

Although it’s common to wake up briefly at the end of each sleep cycle, when these interruptions are repeated night after night and make it difficult to return to sleep, they may be associated with underlying causes that require attention.

According to the Mayo Clinic, frequent nighttime awakenings are part of intermediate insomnia, a sleep disorder linked to factors such as stress, anxiety, unhealthy habits, and even some medical conditions.

Why do you wake up in the middle of the night? These are the most common causes.

Specialists warn that it’s not just about the number of hours slept, but also the quality of that rest. Some of the most common factors that disrupt sleep are:

• Chronic stress and hormonal imbalance
• Physical pain or bodily discomfort
• Disorders such as reflux, sleep apnea, or nocturia (frequent need to urinate at night)
• Exposure to screens before sleeping, due to the blue light that alters melatonin
• Consumption of caffeine or alcohol in the afternoon or evening
• Intrusive thoughts or nighttime anxiety

“Sleep fragmentation is very common in older adults, as sleep becomes lighter with age,” explained psychiatrist Myriam Monczor. Added to this is the impact of stress, which can alter hormonal balance and make it difficult to achieve deep rest, according to neurologist Stella Maris Valiensi.

Consequences of poor sleep: more than tiredness

The impact of nighttime waking goes beyond insomnia: it can affect memory, concentration, mood, and emotional health. A study published in Health Data Science even found that sleep disorders are associated with more than 170 diseases.

If nighttime awakenings are persistent and accompanied by extreme fatigue, irritability, or a feeling of anxiety upon waking, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for a comprehensive approach.