What are the potential causes of being unable to sleep through the night?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Waking up during the night can result from hormonal shifts, changes in body temperature, stress, anxiety, poor sleep hygiene, certain medications, or underlying health conditions such as sleep apnea, thyroid issues, or menopause. Identifying the root cause is key to restoring restful, uninterrupted sleep.

If you're struggling to sleep through the night, don't guess at the cause. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you pinpoint what may be behind your sleep disruptions and guide your next steps—whether that's a lifestyle adjustment or a conversation with your doctor. It takes just a few minutes and could be the clarity you need tonight.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover why you can't sleep through the night Learn if nighttime waking needs care today See what may be disrupting your sleep Find OTC options for better sleep Find a doctor for sleep problems Understand home remedies for sleep maintenance Find out what could be causing insomnia

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Explanation

Sleep problems can come from many different things. First, changes in hormones can make it hard to sleep. This is because hormones help control when we feel sleepy or awake.

Second, your body temperature can also play a role. If your body is too hot or too cold, it might wake you up at night.

Lastly, stress or bad habits, like using screens before bed, can keep you from sleeping well.

If you're experiencing ongoing sleep issues and want to understand what might be causing them, try our free AI symptom checker to get personalized insights.

(References)

Vgontzas AN, Bixler EO, Lin HM, Prolo P, Mastorakos G, Vela-Bueno A, et al. (2001). Chronic insomnia is associated with nyctohemeral .... The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 11502812.
Lack LC, Gradisar M, Van Someren EJ, Wright HR, & Lushington K. (2008). The relationship between insomnia and body temperatures. Sleep medicine reviews, 18603220.
Fatovich B, Winkler RC, & James R. (1983). 'Doctor I can't sleep at night'. Australian family physician, 6667178.

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