Waking up at the same time every night can be sparked by many things.
It may be influenced by when you fall asleep at night and the normalcircadian rhythmsthat regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
Many people who awaken at the same time every night don’t even realize it.
Illustration by Emily Roberts for Verywell Health
In such cases, you might awaken, roll over, and fall back to sleep.
If you dont check the clock, you might not even realize you’ve been awake.
During a short awakening, you might only experience a strong desire to get back to sleep.
Circadian Rhythm
The circadian rhythm is an internal clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
It operates on a 24-hour cycle, regulated by a part of the brain called thesuprachiasmatic nucleus.
The circadian rhythm is largely “synched” to sunrise and sunset.
Sleep Cycles and Stages
Sleep has a structure and pattern, sometimes referred to assleep architecture.
Each night unfolds with regularity, although variations can occur now and then.
Approximately every 90 to 120 minutes, REM sleep occurs.
At the end of REM, you may briefly awaken as the sleep stages reset.
This can be a routine event that you may remember or have no recollection of.
Other Contributing Factors
Some other factors may be influencing your consistent nighttime awakenings.
Environment
Environmental noise is a common cause of nighttime awakenings.
Even things like heaters and air conditioners that go on and off can cause stirrings.
Temperature can also play a part.
Digital Devices
Electronic devices can overstimulate your nervous system and make it harder to fall asleep.
But they can also interrupt your sleep due to low-level humming or light emission.
When the gaps in breathing are prolonged, it is not unusual to awaken abruptly with a choking sensation.
Sleep paralysis, an uncommon sleep disorder, is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move.
It happens when a person passes between stages of wakefulness and sleep.
The sensation can be terrifying and cause a person to jolt awake in the middle of the night.
Nocturia
Nocturiais the term used to describe the need to urinate at night, sometimes repeatedly.
Hormonal Changes
Changes duringmenopausecan cause you to have hot flashes and night sweats.
As many as 50% complain about sleep problems.
Several changes occur in both sleep architecture and sleep timing throughout a lifespan.
Aging is associated with a decrease in the sensitivity of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which regulates the circadian rhythm.
Disruption of this function can cause you to wake up at night.
There are numerous reasons why this may occur.
Even aging can cause biological and physiological changes that cause sleep interruptions.
Foster RG,Sleep, circadian rhythms, and health.Interface Focus.
2018;13(4):e0194608.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0194604
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Brain basics: understanding sleep.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Brain basics: Understanding sleep.
2017;27(4):280-289. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2016.12.005
American Academy of Sleep Medicine.What is sleep paralysis?
MedlinePlus.Urinating more at night.
American Association of Retired People.10 common medications that can affect sleep.
Kryger MH, Roth T, Dement WC.Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine,6th edition.
Elsevier
Peters, BR.Irregular bedtimes and awakenings.Sleep Med Clinic.
