Khaberni - Dr. Yelena Kolisnitchenko, a sleep specialist, reported that waking up frequently during the night is not always a normal condition, but it could be an early sign of health issues that require attention and monitoring.
The expert explains the difference between normal sleep and sleep disorders, pointing out the factors that may hinder continuous sleep.
According to her, waking up for short periods several times during the night is normal; a person may open their eyes during light sleep phases for a few seconds, change their body position, then go back to sleep without remembering it. However, it becomes a cause for concern if the total wake time exceeds 30 minutes during the night, and the condition becomes frequent and regular.
She says, "A person may not realize that their sleep is fragmented, because they often do not feel the short wake periods, especially if they last less than 15 seconds. However, the effects appear during the day as fatigue, drowsiness, and poor concentration. Patients often visit the doctor complaining of these symptoms without realizing that the cause lies specifically in the sleep disturbance at night."
The doctor notes that recurrence of this condition may be associated with several health issues, often accompanying depression, endocrine disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases. Sleep disturbance may also precede the clinical symptoms of some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, by several years.
However, the source of the problem is not always internal, as the external environment — particularly sleeping conditions — also plays a significant role. For instance, an excessively firm mattress may create extra pressure points that hinder blood flow to the soft tissues, prompting the body to send discomfort signals that lead to waking up for short periods. On the other hand, excessive softness is not an ideal solution either.
Experts emphasize the need to first exclude simple factors — such as the quality of the mattress and pillow and the arrangement of a comfortable sleep environment — before searching for serious pathological causes. If sleep remains fragmented despite improving surrounding conditions, it is advisable to consult a specialist for a precise medical examination.
