Waking up at night? Our experts get to the root of what’s ruining your rest
*PHILIPS GLOBAL SLEEP SURVEY. **MENTAL HEALTH UK. CONSULT YOUR GP OR MEDICAL EXPERT BEFORE TAKING NEW SUPPLEMENTS. IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, SEE YOUR GP. PHOTOS (POSED BY MODELS): GETTY
From your partner snoring to terrifying nightmares, there are plenty of reasons for why you might be struggling to sleep through to the morning. But you’re not alone – 67% of adults wake up at least once in the night*. And tiredness isn’t the only side effect. A lack of decent shut-eye weakens the immune system and can lead to problems such as high blood pressure, poor memory, depression, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Luckily, there are easy solutions to sort your sleep, boost your health and help you to wake up feeling refreshed.
HOT SWEATS
See-sawing hormones could be to blame. Night sweats are a common symptom of the menopause, when oestrogen levels decline – and three in four women experience them. The body needs to be cool for good-quality sleep so if we overheat we’ll wake. FIX IT ‘Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) works by correcting the hormone deficiency and should ease sweats within a few weeks,’ says GP and menopause specialist Dr Louise Newson. Speak to your GP about whether it’s right for you. ‘Limit alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods in the evening,’ she adds. Sleep in light, cotton nightwear and swap duvets for sheets.
RUMBLING SNORES
Whether it’s you or your partner, snoring is disruptive and infuriating. Being overweight is a factor, says GP Dr Riccardo Di Cuffa, ‘and age-related changes to muscle tone in the neck exacerbates the problem’. Drinking alcohol before bed makes snoring worse because it relaxes the neck muscles further.
FIX IT Cut back on booze, lose weight and quit smoking. See your GP if you’re snoring or waking up gasping for breath, which can be a sign of sleep apnoea.
HEARTBURN
Got a burning feeling in the chest and throat? ‘This is stomach acid splashing up the gullet and causing irritation,’ explains consultant gastroenterologist Dr Vishal Saxena. It happens when the valve closing the gullet off from the stomach doesn’t work properly.
FIX IT Avoid eating just before bed – especially large or greasy meals. Try propping yourself up with pillows and take over-the-counter antacids to relieve symptoms.
RAGING THIRST
We need to drink roughly 1-2ltr of water during the day to stay hydrated over a
