Feel groggy during the day? Tired? Having a hard time waking up? Chances are, you’re not getting enough sleep. Trouble sleeping isn’t uncommon, but are you just not sleeping well, or do you suffer from a sleep disorder? One may need a simple remedy. The other could require doctor intervention.

Sleeping badly?
Doctors have generally held that most people need at least eight hours of sleep, although some people can happily function with less and some feel better with more. One way to determine if you need more time asleep is to adjust the times you go to bed and wake up to allow for more sleeping hours. See if you feel more refreshed. Yes? Problem solved. No? Then look for other external reasons why you’re not getting a good night’s rest.

Plenty of people have trouble sleeping for behavioral reasons. The MayoClinic.com offers several tips on ways to sleep better, but in general:

• Keep your bedtime and time to get up consistent.
• Caffeine will keep you up, so limit use closer to bedtime. Be wary not only of sodas and coffee, but medicines that contain a stimulant.
• A cooler temperature is better for sleeping.
• Exercise will help your sleeping, but exercising too close to bedtime can over stimulate your system and make it harder to fall asleep.
• Make your bed comfy and conducive to sleep. When picking out a mattress, chose one that caters to your sleeping habits. Choose bedding sets in materials that provide the most comfort for sleeping.
• Keep your bedroom dark. Light sends signals that you should get up, disrupting your rest.
• Even what you eat can affect how you sleep: warm milk really does help bring the sandman, according to WebMD.com.

Do you have a sleeping disorder?
Not everyone has trouble sleeping because of easy-to-fix reasons. But you may not even know the real reason why you’re not getting enough sleep — you need a doctor’s diagnosis. Here are some sleep disorders that might cause you to not get enough sleep:

• Sleep apnea stops your breathing while you sleep and disrupts your rest;
• Restless leg syndrome causes nighttime leg twitching that wakes you up;
• Snoring may not affect your sleep — but your partner will surely notice. Also, snoring can be a symptom of a sleep disorder or respiratory issue that will affect how much sleep you get.

WebMD.com has an overview of common sleep disorders, including symptoms and common treatments. Many sleep disorders can be treated with medication or special breathing apparatuses, but it’s important to be diagnosed by a doctor, particularly in instances of sleep apnea — which can sometimes prove fatal.

Can’t sleep at all?
Many people suffer from insomnia at points in their lives, but persistent inability to sleep may require intervention from a doctor or mental health professional. Insomnia isn’t limited to the inability to fall asleep: If you wake up in the night, you’re also suffering from insomnia.

Causes of insomnia can include stress, side effects from medication, depression and even eating too much before bedtime. The first step in looking for a cure is to evaluate what you’re doing or feeling and go from there. You should go see a doctor when insomnia persists or begins to affect your life and ability to function. Sometimes, patients are asked to spend a night at a sleep clinic for a full evaluation. Treatment can include behavior, eating and lifestyle changes, or it may require medication.