Three hidden reasons you might still feel tired after a full night’s sleep

Posted: 1st April 2024 | Posted by Costa

Three hidden reasons you might still feel tired after a full night’s sleep

It can be frustrating to wake up feeling exhausted despite getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep. If you’re still tired, you may be experiencing non-restorative sleep – sleep that isn’t restful.

But what causes this issue? While stress and excessive phone use before bedtime are common culprits, allergies and intolerances can also significantly, often overlooked, impact sleep quality.

It’s important to understand and address these factors. Prolonged exposure to such disruptions can lead to severe long-term health impacts, including an increased risk for chronic diseases, impaired cognitive function and reduced overall well-being.

Let’s explore the three pesky culprits that might be disrupting your sleep and leave you feeling tired.

Dust mites

Dust mites are tiny creatures that thrive in warm and humid environments, and they feed on dead skin cells. If you’re sensitive, you might find exposure to dust mites can cause a range of respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, and even asthma attacks. This can significantly interfere with sleep and prevent deep, restorative sleep cycles, resulting in fatigue and sleepiness during the day. Given that we spend about one-third of our life in bed, the bedroom can become a breeding ground for these hidden allergens.

Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a common digestive issue that occurs when the body can’t fully digest lactose. Eating or drinking dairy before bedtime can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating, gas, and diarrhoea, which can significantly disrupt sleep. The pain and discomfort associated with these symptoms can make it challenging to find a comfortable sleeping position, preventing your body from entering the deeper, more restorative stages of sleep.

Mould exposure

Molds and fungi are everywhere, be it indoors or outdoors, and can release spores into the air that trigger allergic reactions when inhaled. These reactions can lead to nasal congestion, irritated eyes, skin rashes, and severe asthma symptoms, making it difficult to fall and stay asleep. Inadequate ventilation and high humidity levels in sleeping areas can accelerate mould growth, which is why it’s crucial to maintain clean, dry, and well-ventilated sleeping spaces.

Take action on your sleep cycle

It’s important to identify the cause of your sleep difficulties for the sake of your overall health. If you suspect allergens to be the culprit, you might want to take an allergy test. Knowing the cause of your sleep challenges, you can take action. It’s time for more restful nights and energetic days.

The thought of having a potential allergy can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Don’t hesitate to take the first step towards better health. Sign up as a new patient today. You can visit our clinic located in London or take one of our home tests to understand the cause of your restless night from the comfort of your own home.