What are the Signs of Sleep Issues?

How You Can Tell if There Might Be a Problem

Some sleep issues are easy to notice, such as insomnia. But other sleep problems are much more sinister, and deprive you of sleep without you even noticing. In these cases, you’ll need to pay attention to how you’re feeling throughout the day and seek a sleep test if you suspect a problem.

The Symptoms of Common Sleep Issues

older woman laying in bed holding her hand over her ear as her husband snores


Snoring, or the noisy breathing that you produce during sleep, is a common problem for people of all ages and genders. According to the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 90 million adults in the United States snore once in their life, while 37 million snore on a regular basis.

Snoring could indicate that you’re suffering from a serious sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea. This condition interrupts your breathing while you sleep, causing you to wake up repeatedly at night. Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea.

Whether you have sleep apnea or not, it’s important to get a definitive diagnosis by a sleep expert.

Poor Cognition

Different factors can disrupt a person’s quality of life. One of the most overlooked causes is insufficient sleep. Sleep deprivation may lead to chronic diseases, anxiety, stress, and poor cognition. Cognitive impairment affects your ability to store information, pay attention, and make quick decisions.

woman wearing blue sweater shrugging
man sitting at desk with chin resting on hand tired


Getting a good night’s sleep can make a huge difference in how you feel. There are times when you can feel sluggish or low-energy even after sleeping for seven to nine hours. This is because your sleep might be frequently interrupted due to sleep problems. Getting enough quality sleep at night can make you feel refreshed during the day.

Headaches and Migraines

Having poor sleep problems and not getting seven to nine hours of sleep can trigger your headache or migraine. Headaches are also two to eight times more common for people who are suffering from sleep disorders such as:

  • Insomnia
  • Snoring
  • Teeth Grinding

Experiencing headaches or migraines after sleeping can be frustrating. The first step to avoiding them is recognizing what triggers them in the first place. Consulting a sleep expert like a dentist can help solve your problems.

close up of woman rubbing her temples tired with headache
man sitting on a couch upset

Emotional Upset

Sleep loss impacts your mood. If you slept poorly the previous night, you’ll notice that you feel more irritated than usual. If you carry that tense mood until bedtime, you’ll find it hard to fall asleep.

Once you get enough quality sleep, your mood will improve. That’s because sleep influences your mood, and your mood can affect your sleep.