Some people find themselves consistently waking up or unable to sleep after three AM. Despite their best efforts, sleep seems to evade them. What could be causing this persistent issue?
Experts suggest that several factors, including hormonal imbalances and fluctuations in blood sugar levels, might be at play. A decrease in blood sugar levels can trigger the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones help regulate blood sugar by prompting the liver and muscles to release stored glucose. However, their activation may disrupt sleep patterns. Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol, also known as the ‘stress hormone.’ High cortisol levels during the early hours of the day can make it difficult to stay asleep. Changes in hormones, especially as we age, can also disturb sleep.
The production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep, decreases with age in some individuals, leading to difficulties in maintaining sleep. Hormonal changes associated with menopause can also disrupt sleep patterns and cause frequent awakenings.
To address these issues, making lifestyle adjustments and creating a conducive sleep environment can help improve sleep quality to some extent.