Poor sleep
Poor sleep can be due to insomnia, stress and anxiety, poor sleep habits, caffeine and alcohol, shift work, chronic pain, perimenopause, thyroid problems, and sleep apnoea (especially if you snore or feel very sleepy in the day). A GP consultation identifies the cause and offers structured treatment.
Key information
- Symptom
- Poor sleep
- Category
- Sleep
- Common possible causes
- Stress and anxiety, Poor sleep habits and irregular schedule, Late caffeine or alcohol, Shift work and jet lag
- Tests that may be considered
- TSH, Ferritin, Vitamin D, HbA1c
- Clinic assessment
- Available same day
- Home doctor visit
- Available across Dubai
- Home blood test
- Available across Dubai
- Date reviewed
- 2026-07-01
What this symptom means
Poor sleep is difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or feeling unrefreshed by sleep for at least three nights per week for more than three months.
Common possible causes
- · Stress and anxiety
- · Poor sleep habits and irregular schedule
- · Late caffeine or alcohol
- · Shift work and jet lag
- · Chronic pain
- · Perimenopause and menopause
- · Depression
Less common possible causes
- · Obstructive sleep apnoea
- · Restless legs syndrome
- · Thyroid disease
- · Medication side effects
Serious causes that must not be missed
- · Severe untreated sleep apnoea (cardiovascular risk)
- · Severe depression
- · Falling asleep at the wheel
- · Loud snoring with witnessed breathing pauses
- · Excessive daytime sleepiness
- · Suicidal thoughts
Call 998 (UAE ambulance) or attend the nearest emergency department for any of the above.
When a same-day GP is appropriate
- · Suicidal thoughts
- · Severe daytime sleepiness affecting safety
When a routine GP appointment is fine
- · Chronic insomnia
- · Snoring assessment
- · Perimenopausal sleep symptoms
Questions a doctor may ask
- · Difficulty falling or staying asleep?
- · Snoring or breathing pauses reported by partner?
- · Daytime sleepiness or naps?
- · Caffeine, alcohol and screen habits?
- · Any pain, hot flushes or urinary symptoms disturbing sleep?
History factors that may matter
- · Shift work
- · Perimenopause
- · Overweight (sleep apnoea risk)
- · Chronic pain
Medicines that may contribute
- · Late-day corticosteroids
- · Some antidepressants
- · Diuretics taken late
Never stop a prescribed medication without discussing it with a clinician.
What may happen during the examination
- · BMI and neck circumference
- · Blood pressure
- · Airway examination
Tests that may be considered
Blood tests
- · TSH
- · Ferritin
- · Vitamin D
- · HbA1c
- · Hormonal profile if perimenopausal
Other tests
- · Home sleep study for suspected sleep apnoea
When a specialist referral may be considered
- · Sleep medicine for suspected apnoea or refractory insomnia
Possible treatment approaches
- · Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
- · Sleep hygiene
- · CPAP for sleep apnoea
- · Treat underlying causes (pain, menopause, thyroid)
- · Short-course sleep medication only where appropriate
Safe self-care
- · Consistent bed and wake times
- · No caffeine after midday
- · Wind-down routine, no screens 60 minutes before bed
- · Cool, dark bedroom (important in Dubai)
- · Daytime light exposure
Best avoided
- · Long-term sleeping tablets
- · Alcohol as a sleep aid
- · Late heavy meals
How Aafiyah can help
- · GP assessment in clinic or at home
- · Screening for sleep apnoea (home sleep study referral)
- · CBT-I referral
- · Hormonal and thyroid assessment
Related tests
Related conditions
Related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
Do I have sleep apnoea?+
Suggestive features include loud snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, morning headaches and excessive daytime sleepiness. A GP can screen with a validated questionnaire and arrange a home sleep study.
Are sleeping tablets safe long-term?+
No — most sleeping tablets are only for short-term use. CBT for insomnia has stronger long-term evidence and no dependence risk.
Can menopause cause poor sleep?+
Yes — hot flushes, night sweats and hormonal changes commonly disrupt sleep. HRT and non-hormonal strategies can help.
Medical references
- · NICE CKS — Insomnia — cks.nice.org.uk
- · NHS — Insomnia — nhs.uk
Medically reviewed by: Dr Shahbaz Afzal — British-trained Family Medicine Consultant, DHA-licensed
Written: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed: 2026-07-01 · Next review: 2027-01-01
This page provides general medical information for people in Dubai and the UAE. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified clinician about any medical concern.
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"Called at 8am with a fever, had a British-trained doctor at my door by 11. He sat with me for 45 minutes — not the 5 minutes I'm used to. Prescription delivered same day. Felt like having a proper GP again."
"We finally have one doctor who knows all of us. The kids actually like going. Follow-up calls happen without us chasing. Worth every dirham."
"The 40+ marker report came back with a real conversation, not a PDF dumped in my inbox. Caught a vitamin deficiency I'd been ignoring for years."
"After surgery I dreaded going back to a hospital for dressings. Their nurse came every other day, the doctor checked in by WhatsApp. Healed faster than I expected."
"Fell ill on day two of our trip. Doctor in the suite within 90 minutes, full assessment, prescription to the hotel pharmacy. Genuinely NHS-standard care in Dubai."
"My father refuses to leave the house. Aafiyah's team comes monthly, manages his medication, and treats him with such dignity. It changed everything for our family."
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