Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Restless sleep is when you struggle to fall asleep, toss-and-turn in the night, wake from sleep often, and generally do not feel rested. Seventy percent of American report poor or restless sleep at least one night a month, and 11% report poor sleep every night.
This article will detail the symptoms of restless sleep, some common causes, and what treatment options may be available. You’ll learn what restless sleep looks like, why it’s happening, and what to do next.
janiecbros /Getty Images
A night or two of poor sleep isn’t anything to worry about. However, if sleep issues become chronic, it’s good to take note. Sleep problems can lead to other health issues over time.
If you have a sleep disorder that results in restless sleep, you may experience:
There are several common causes of restless sleep. These include:
Insomnia
People withinsomniaexperience restless sleep as a symptom. Restless sleep in insomnia can last for a few days (temporary insomnia) or a few weeks or months (chronic insomnia).
Insomnia symptoms include challenges with falling asleep, waking up, and staying asleep for as long as desired or intended.
Chronic insomnia symptoms include more severe sleep challenges, associated mood changes, and health complications associated with a lack of sleep, like memory and concentration difficulties.
A review of studies on chronic insomnia suggests it is a common sleep problem among the general population and also an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition.
Sleep Apnea
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndromeor Willis-Ekbom disease isn’t a sleeping disorder, but it does cause restlessness in the legs that creates sleep difficulties. Since symptoms may become more severe at night, falling asleep or returning to sleep after waking up could become difficult.
What Is Restless Legs Syndrome?
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsyis a neurological disorder affecting the brain’s chemical signaling and control of wakefulness and sleepiness. People with narcolepsy experience many symptoms, including restless nighttime sleep with many awakenings.
What Is Narcolepsy?
What Medications Can Cause Restless Sleep?
Many medications, recreational drugs, and substances (such as caffeine and alcohol) can contribute to restless sleep.These include:
The goal of treatment for restless sleep will be to increase the overall quality of your sleep. Several methods are available. As with any health condition, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best option for you, given your health history. Some options for treating restless sleep include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapycan help someone recognize thought patterns that may be keeping them awake and direct them on how to work on changing those thought patterns.Cognitive behavioral therapy has been recognized as a first-line treatment for insomnia. In one review study, CBT was found to be as effective as medication for brief treatment and likely more durable or sustainable over time. It’s also shown to be effective when delivered remotely via teletherapy.
Medications or Supplements
There are several over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription sleep medications andherbal remedies that people may use to temporarily help with restless sleep.
Some options you may want to talk to your healthcare provider about includemelatonin, a natural sleep aid, orbenzodiazepines, a common type of prescribed pharmaceutical sleep aid. It’s always best to give your healthcare provider a complete list of medications and supplements, as some interact with others.
Sleep Hygiene
Practicing proper sleep hygiene is always recommended to have a restful sleep. Good sleep hygiene habits should include:
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Restless Sleep?
A healthcare provider can determine the underlying cause of restless sleep in several ways. A medical history, report of symptoms, review of medications, and physical examination is the first step. These may be enough to diagnose the cause.
Further testing may include:
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of a sleep disorder, it’s suggested to discuss your symptoms with a healthcare provider.
Summary
Restless sleep is when you find falling and staying asleep challenging. You may toss and turn or struggle with some sleep disorder that has other symptoms. Chronic restless sleep can be due to a sleep disorder like insomnia, sleep apnea, or narcolepsy or associated with other medical conditions. Treatment involves cognitive behavioral therapy and sleep hygiene changes and may also include sleep medications.
Learn MoreCauses of Chronic Insomnia
Keep a sleep log and note the patterns of your restless sleep and possible contributing factors (such as alcohol or caffeine). See a healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and medical history. They can then recommend further testing, if needed, and possible treatment and lifestyle changes.Learn MoreHow Sleep Disorders Are Treated
Keep a sleep log and note the patterns of your restless sleep and possible contributing factors (such as alcohol or caffeine). See a healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and medical history. They can then recommend further testing, if needed, and possible treatment and lifestyle changes.
Learn MoreHow Sleep Disorders Are Treated
Not getting enough quality sleep can raise your risk of developing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.Learn MoreSleep Disorders and Type 2 Diabetes
Not getting enough quality sleep can raise your risk of developing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.
Learn MoreSleep Disorders and Type 2 Diabetes
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Sleep Apnea Association.The state of sleep health in America in 2022.Medline Plus.Sleep disorders.Roth T.Insomnia: definition, prevalence, etiology, and consequences.J Clin Sleep Med. 2007;3(5 Suppl):S7-S10.Wong SH, Ng BY.Review of sleep studies of patients with chronic insomnia at a sleep disorder unit.Singapore Med J. 2015;56(6):317-323. doi:10.11622/smedj.2015089Johns Hopkins Medicine.The dangers of uncontrolled sleep apnea.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless legs syndrome fact sheet.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Narcolepsy fact sheet.National Jewish Health.Medicines that can cause insomnia.Siebern AT, Manber R.New developments in cognitive behavioral therapy as the first-line treatment of insomnia.Psychology Research and Behavior Management.2011:4, 21–28. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S10041Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tips for better sleep.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep and chronic disease.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Sleep Apnea Association.The state of sleep health in America in 2022.Medline Plus.Sleep disorders.Roth T.Insomnia: definition, prevalence, etiology, and consequences.J Clin Sleep Med. 2007;3(5 Suppl):S7-S10.Wong SH, Ng BY.Review of sleep studies of patients with chronic insomnia at a sleep disorder unit.Singapore Med J. 2015;56(6):317-323. doi:10.11622/smedj.2015089Johns Hopkins Medicine.The dangers of uncontrolled sleep apnea.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless legs syndrome fact sheet.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Narcolepsy fact sheet.National Jewish Health.Medicines that can cause insomnia.Siebern AT, Manber R.New developments in cognitive behavioral therapy as the first-line treatment of insomnia.Psychology Research and Behavior Management.2011:4, 21–28. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S10041Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tips for better sleep.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep and chronic disease.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Sleep Apnea Association.The state of sleep health in America in 2022.Medline Plus.Sleep disorders.Roth T.Insomnia: definition, prevalence, etiology, and consequences.J Clin Sleep Med. 2007;3(5 Suppl):S7-S10.Wong SH, Ng BY.Review of sleep studies of patients with chronic insomnia at a sleep disorder unit.Singapore Med J. 2015;56(6):317-323. doi:10.11622/smedj.2015089Johns Hopkins Medicine.The dangers of uncontrolled sleep apnea.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless legs syndrome fact sheet.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Narcolepsy fact sheet.National Jewish Health.Medicines that can cause insomnia.Siebern AT, Manber R.New developments in cognitive behavioral therapy as the first-line treatment of insomnia.Psychology Research and Behavior Management.2011:4, 21–28. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S10041Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tips for better sleep.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep and chronic disease.
American Sleep Apnea Association.The state of sleep health in America in 2022.
Medline Plus.Sleep disorders.
Roth T.Insomnia: definition, prevalence, etiology, and consequences.J Clin Sleep Med. 2007;3(5 Suppl):S7-S10.
Wong SH, Ng BY.Review of sleep studies of patients with chronic insomnia at a sleep disorder unit.Singapore Med J. 2015;56(6):317-323. doi:10.11622/smedj.2015089
Johns Hopkins Medicine.The dangers of uncontrolled sleep apnea.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless legs syndrome fact sheet.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Narcolepsy fact sheet.
National Jewish Health.Medicines that can cause insomnia.
Siebern AT, Manber R.New developments in cognitive behavioral therapy as the first-line treatment of insomnia.Psychology Research and Behavior Management.2011:4, 21–28. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S10041
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tips for better sleep.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep and chronic disease.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
