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7 surprising reasons you can't sleep through the night

You probably knew about the effects of having caffeine late in the day. But what about these other causes of sleeplessness?


LearnSleepInsomnia7 surprising reasons you can't sleep through the night
You’re taking certain medications
You have allergies
You live in a big city
You’re listening to music or the TV
Your bedroom is too warm
You snuggle up with Fido at night
You have a health condition

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Are you great at falling asleep at night, but not so great at staying asleep? You might know that certain things, such as caffeine, alcohol, depression, stress, and smartphone use can affect your shut-eye. But you may not be aware that other, lesser-known factors can also interrupt your sleep, including some medications, your room setup, and even your pet.

Never fear. You can get the rest you need. Here are seven surprising things that may be causing your sleep issues, plus ways to get back to bed.

Sources: Harvard Health Publishing. Are your medi... + 12
  1. Harvard Health Publishing. Are your medications keeping you up at night? December 1, 2022.
  2. Riemer TG, Villagomez Fuentes LE, Algharably EAE, et al. Do β-Blockers Cause Depression? Hypertension. 2021;77:1539-1548.
  3. Cole JL. Steroid-Induced Sleep Disturbance and Delirium: A Focused Review for Critically Ill Patients. Fed Pract. 2020;37(6):260-267.
  4. American Cancer Society. Nicotine Replacement Therapy to Help You Quit Tobacco. Updated August 2, 2021.
  5. Wichniak A, Wierzbicka A, Walęcka M, et al. Effects of antidepressants on sleep. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2017;19(9):63.
  6. Medline Plus. Nasal corticosteroid sprays. Last reviewed October 30, 2021.
  7. National Science Foundation. Day or night — your brain is always listening. Updated August 25, 2022.
  8. Cleveland Clinic. Can Pink Noise Help You Sleep? April 28, 2022.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Improve Sleep: Tips to Improve Your Sleep When Times Are Tough. Updated June 29, 2020.
  10. American Pet Products Association. 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey. Accessed December 16, 2022.
  11. Bohnen NI, Hu MTM. Sleep disturbance as potential risk and progression factor for Parkinson's Disease. J Parkinsons Dis. 2019;9(3):603-614.
  12. National Institute on Aging. Sleep Problems and Menopause: What Can I Do? Content reviewed September 30, 2021.
  13. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet. Last reviewed on October 3, 2022.
Written by Olivia DeLong.
Medically reviewed by Mark Arredondo, MD.October, 2024
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Olivia DeLong.
Medically reviewed by Mark Arredondo, MD.October, 2024
Updated onAugust, 2026
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