Snoring is the primary cause of sleep deprivation for approximately 90 million adults, according to the National Sleep Foundation. It occurs when you breathe and the walls of your throat vibrate. When you sleep, the muscles in your throat relax, your tongue falls backward and your throat becomes narrow, intensifying the sound of the vibrations. Snoring becomes more common with age because throat muscles naturally relax. It’s linked to daytime dysfunction and cardiovascular disease.

If you find yourself gasping for air in the middle of the night or snoring heavily, you could have sleep apnea, a disorder marked by interrupted breathing during sleep. There are two types: Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat fail to keep your airways open; central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to control your breathing properly. Both can wake you 50 to 60 times an hour—without you even realizing it—leaving you overly tired the next day, says Dr. David Volpi. Sleep apnea is extremely dangerous and could lead to heart attack, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, stroke or depression if left untreated.

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If you have difficulty breathing at night, allergies may be to blame. When allergens such as dust mites, pollen, mold and pet dander trigger a chemical in the body, nasal passages can become congested, disrupting sleep.

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Eight percent of adults grind their teeth when they sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. When done on a regular basis, it can lead to dental damage, facial pain and disturbed sleep.

Constantly waking up during the night to go to the bathroom is a common cause of sleep loss among older people. As we age our bodies produce less of the anti-diuretic hormone that enables us to retain fluid. One or two trips to the bathroom a night is considered normal, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Any more may be a sign that you suffer from another medical condition such as a urological infection, a tumor of the bladder or prostate, or disorders affecting sphincter control.

Do you talk—or walk—in your sleep? Only sometimes? It may be because you're stressed, depressed, have a fever, are sleep deprived, have been experiencing daytime drowsiness or drank alcohol. Sleep talking is a rare occurrence for most people, and is usually harmless but can be embarrassing.

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Do you go to bed earlier and wake up earlier than you used to? Changes in sleep cycles are common as we age. They occur because we tend to spend less time in the deeper stages of sleep and more time in the lighter stages. If you find yourself waking up extremely early and it having an effect on your day, talk to your doctor for ways to alter your sleep cycle.

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If you're extremely tired during the day despite getting a full night’s sleep, you may have a condition called idiopathic hypersomnia. The exact cause is unknown and can be associated with a number of other sleep disorders.

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Can’t sleep? Insomnia is a symptom of other disorders, which makes it hard to pinpoint the exact cause. It can stem from stress, anxiety, depression, pain, medications, sleep disorders or poor sleep habits. Environment and health habits also play a role. Insomnia can have an effect on your daily activities and can lead to depression and contribute to illness.

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