Q: I have trouble sleeping. I wake up tired and feel awful all day. Is there anything I can do or take that will help? — A.J.F., ANDERSON

A: There are two kinds of sleep problems, insomnia and sleep apnea.

The sleep cycle is composed of REM (rapid eye movement or dreaming) and non-REM (deep) sleep. As we age, the amount of time we spend in non-REM sleep is reduced, but the need for sleep does not decrease. As we age, people tend to go to bed earlier in the evening and get up earlier in the morning. Older people also are more likely to get up during the night to visit the bathroom. However, waking up tired day after day is not part of normal aging.

Insomnia is the most common sleep problem -- having trouble going to sleep, waking up frequently, being unable to go back to sleep and waking up feeling tired. Insomnia tends to be a symptom of a problem rather than the problem itself. It may be associated with depression, stress and menopause.

Sleep apnea occurs when a person’s breathing stops for short periods of time. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea, when breathing pauses because of air not flowing in or out of the nose or mouth. People with sleep apnea can jerk awake several times during the night and complain about daytime sleepiness.

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with loud snoring, morning headaches, dry mouth, hypertension and obesity. A doctor’s exam may find a narrowing inside the mouth and throat. The diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is made by a sleep study, looking at the person’s sleeping pattern, sleep stages, snoring and daytime naps. Treatment can include weight loss, medication, surgery or having the patient wear a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) mask, which uses increased air pressure to open the airway. Over-the-counter products can help mild sleep apnea.

People with congestive heart failure (CHF) also may complain of insomnia. If the heart medication is not effective, during the night fluid can back up into the lung and cause shortness of breath and chest tightness. A doctor may need to adjust the medication. Some CHF patients have small changes in lung function while sleeping. The oxygen blood level is lower during the night, and supplemental oxygen may be needed. Some patients find comfort sleeping with the head of the bed elevated.

The Better Sleep Council offers strategies for a better night’s sleep: unwinding earlier in the evening; giving yourself permission to go to bed; keeping regular hours; developing a bedtime pattern; making your bedroom restful; exercising daily; avoiding caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.

If sleep problems are related to lifestyle or eating a heavy meal before bedtime or changing time zones, it’s probably temporary and will correct itself. However, if you suffer from chronic insomnia, your doctor can help you identify underlying problems.