INSOMNIA refers to when someone has difficulty getting to or staying asleep.

One third of Brits will have episodes of the frustrating condition at some point, the NHS says.

Occasional stints of sleeplessness may come and go without causing any serious issues.

But for some people it can last for months, or even years at a time.

Long-term sleep issues can have a huge impact on your quality of life – and even your health.

Getting enough snooze is important for various reasons, including brain function, physical health and all important recharging.

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Despite insomnia being so widespread, it's not always clear what triggers it.

But a health report published by Harvard Health, called Improving Sleep: A guide to a good night's rest, from the University's medical school lists six surprising health issues that can make sleeping more difficult.

1. Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of Brits.

But many people are living with the condition unknowingly, as symptoms can be subtle.

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It occurs when the level of sugar in your blood is too high.

According to the report, people who have diabetes whose blood sugar levels are not well controlled may experience issues which make sleeping more difficult.

These issues include night sweats and a frequent need to pee.

If diabetes has damaged nerves in the legs, nighttime movements or pain may also disturb sleep, they added.

You should visit a GP as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms of diabetes, which also include feeling very thirsty, very tired, weight loss, frequent episodes of thrush and blurred vision.

2. Heart failure

Heart failure happens when the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly.

It affects over 900,000 Brits with 60,000 new cases each year, the NHS says,

It is predominantly a disease of older people, however it can also affect young people in some cases

The condition, which comes on gradually, can also lead to the build-up of fluid around the lungs.

Sufferers can then be woken during the night feeling short of breath as fluid pools in the lungs as they lie down.

The scientists from Harvard suggest using pillows to elevate the upper body.

They also suggest taking Benzodiazepine sleep medications – which help some people to stay asleep despite this breathing disturbance.

The main symptoms of heart failure include breathlessness, feeling tired, fainting and having swollen ankles.

Symptoms can develop quickly or gradually over weeks or months.

3. Arthritis

Arthritis causes pain and inflammation in the joints of the body. 

More than 10million people in the UK suffer from it.

The condition can make it hard for people to fall asleep and to resettle when they shift positions, the experts said.

And the medicines used to treat arthritis, steroids, frequently cause insomnia, the added.

If you suffer from arthritus and sleep issues your doctor might suggest taking an aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) just before bedtime to relieve pain and swelling.

4. Kidney disease

Kidney disease happens when the organs that filter waste products from the blood don't work as they should.

This means unwanted fluids are left it the blood and can lead to insomnia or symptoms of restless legs syndrome.

Even after kidney dialysis or transplant, sleep does not always return back to normal – and experts don't know why.

Symptoms of the condition include: tiredness, swollen ankles, nausea, breathlessness and blood in the urine.

Your doctor can test your for kidney disease through blood and urine tests.

5. Nocturia

If you've ever drank too much water before bed you've probably experienced a bit of nocturia.

It's a condition that makes you need to pee lots in the night.

 is a common cause of sleep loss, especially among older adults.

A mild case causes a person to wake up at least twice during the night; in severe cases, a person may get up as many as five or six times.

It's often a product of getting older.

But it can also be the result of several medical issues including heart failure, diabetes, urinary tract infections, an enlarged prostate, liver failure, multiple sclerosis, sleep apnea.

If you think you suffer from nocturia it's worth seeing your GP.

They may prescribe a low-dose version of a medicine called desmopressin, which can reduce the amount of urine produced by the kidneys.

6. Thyroid disease

An overactive thyroid gland, medically know as hyperthyroidism, can cause sleep problems.

About two per cent of Brits have the condition – when the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones – according to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) figures from 2019.

The disease overstimulates the nervous system, leaving you feeling panicky and unable to sit still.

This can make it tricky to fall asleep.

It can also trigger nighttime sweats, which can wake you from your slumber.

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Symptoms of the condition can be vague.

Checking thyroid function requires only a simple blood test, so if you notice a variety of unexplained symptoms, ask your doctor for a thyroid test.

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