Module 2: Common sleep problems and causes.

Quit tossing and turning. Get to know the common sleep issues and their causes. Learn about the lifestyle changes you could make which may improve your sleep health and when to seek help.

Listen to episode 2: Common sleep problems

In this episode Dr Chris Robinson, Chief Medical Officer at Medibank talks to Dr Moira Junge, health psychologist and CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation about common sleep problems and their causes. Read the transcript.

Medibank · Common sleep problems - B

This episode was created in collaboration with the Sleep Health Foundation.

Sleep throughout our lifecycle

Do you toss and turn every night?

If so, you’re not alone.

The amount of sleep you get is important for your health and wellbeing. Yet sleep issues are common – nearly half of all Australian adults report at least two sleep-related problems.¹ These experiences include too much or too little sleep for your age, when it takes too long to fall asleep, waking up frequently during the night or waking up feeling unrefreshed.

Identifying what causes your sleep issues and knowing when to get help from a healthcare professional is key. There are many factors that can contribute to poor sleep, some of the common ones include:

Stress
Consuming too much alcohol and/or caffeine
A poor sleeping environment
Pregnancy
Eating and/or drinking too late
Shift work and jetlag
Medical conditions and/or medication side effects
Hormonal changes
Sleep disorders

Did you know that nicotine in cigarettes and vapes may impact your sleep? Seek support from your healthcare professional to quit these habits.

As we move through different life stages – from child to teenager and throughout adulthood – the amount of sleep we need, and the factors that contribute to poor sleep, change.

Did you know that women are more likely to have insomnia while men are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnoea?

Children (0 –13 years)

Teenagers (14 – 17 years)

Poor sleep can be a problem in teenagers, with around half of 16–17-year-olds not meeting sleep guidelines on school nights.1 Teenagers tend to have less regular sleep compared to adults and children as they often want to go to bed later and sleep in, but it’s still important that they develop good sleep habits. Some of this shift is due to biology (the body clock can move later) but other factors are lifestyle related like using technology before bed and working late on homework or at part-time jobs.

Adults (18 – 64 years)

Many adults try to get away with less sleep which may be one of the reasons why we see short sleep – getting less sleep than recommended for your age group – being more common for those aged 26-64 compared to other age groups. And for parents, sleep may feel like a distant dream while caring for infants or children with sleep problems, leaving them sleep deprived and impacting their mood, and overall well-being. In the middle to older age groups (45 and over), obstructive sleep apnoea becomes common.

Did you know that Medibank have a baby sleep support line? If you need help, we're available to you 7 days a week (between the hours of 7am and 11pm EST) no matter where you live.^∓

Older adults (65 years and older)

Most older adults sleep between 7 and 9 hours per day. Naps are common in this group as they may not get all of their sleep at night. This is because the body clock gradually changes after middle age. This group also wakes up more often during the night and spends less time in deep, refreshing sleep due to things like hot flushes in postmenopausal women, medical conditions, needing to go to the toilet and pain from staying in one position all night. Long sleep – sleeping longer than recommended for your age group – is more common in older age groups (65 and over).

When should I seek help for my sleep?

Knowing when to get help for poor sleep can be tricky. But the more information you have, the better off you will be.

It’s time to seek support from a healthcare professional when

Your sleep issues are persistent and impact your mood, everyday activities and overall wellbeing.

You have excessive daytime sleepiness, restlessness in bed, severe snoring or you’re waking up unrefreshed even with enough sleep time.

You have a chronic condition and experience issues with your sleep.

You experience the symptoms of a sleep disorder.

Some common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnoea and restless leg syndrome.

For more information on signs and symptoms of other sleep disorders, please visit the Sleep Health Foundation website.

Insomnia: ongoing issue with falling or staying asleep which leads to distress and daytime symptoms of poor sleep.

Sleep apnoea: breathing disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnoea specifically refers to an obstruction of the upper airway.

Restless leg syndrome: uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them which can disrupt sleep.

Even though sleep issues are common, it's important to take steps to identify the causes of poor sleep and explore strategies which may support sleep quality. Read our next article for top sleep tips and strategies that you can try out for yourself.

Module 3: Recommendations to help improve sleep health.

Become a super sleeper and learn how you could improve your sleep habits with mindfulness, stress management and much more.

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Things you should know

¹ Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; Sleep problems as a risk factor for chronic conditions; retrieved May 2024.

For people who have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder or have any other pre-existing medical conditions, please seek advice from a healthcare professional before participating in this challenge.

If you are experiencing any of the following, please seek advice from a healthcare professional:

• Your sleep issues are persistent and are impacting your mood, everyday activities and overall wellbeing.

• You have excessive daytime sleepiness, restlessness in bed, severe snoring or you’re waking up unrefreshed even with enough sleep time.

• You have a chronic condition and you’re also experiencing issues with your sleep.

• You’re experiencing the symptoms of a sleep disorder – like insomnia, sleep apnoea or restless leg syndrome

^∓ The Medibank sleep support line is available to eligible members with Bronze hospital cover and above. Excludes Overseas Visitor Health Cover, Working Visa Health Cover and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Waiting periods may apply. Some referred services may involve out of pocket costs.