While insomnia is typically thought of as not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep, there is a lesser-known sleep disorder called late insomnia that can be just as frustrating.
“Late insomnia, or early morning awakening, is when you wake up much earlier than you want to and can’t fall back asleep, even though you’re still tired,” Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, a physician and sleep specialist, told HuffPost.
While anyone can experience late insomnia, it becomes more likely with age, according to the journal ”Sleep Medicine Clinics.” Sleep doctors say there are a few reasons why late insomnia is more common with age, but the good news is that there is a lot you can do about it.
Why Late Insomnia Is More Common With Age
Late insomnia isn’t an official medical diagnosis, but Dr. Meredith Broderick, a sleep neurologist and Ozlo medical advisory board member, explained that it describes waking up spontaneously between 1.5 and 2 hours earlier than you plan to. She shared that this isn’t considered a problem if it happens occasionally, but if it occurs at least three times a week for at least three months, it’s considered late insomnia.
