8 in 10 Americans Struggle With Sleep — Here’s How to Break the Cycle

Christopher J. Allen, M.D.

Credit: Aeroflow Sleep

A new survey from Aeroflow Sleep is shining a light on America’s growing sleep crisis — and why so many people are turning to the wrong solutions. According to the “Wake-Up Call” survey, 81% of Americans struggle with sleep, yet many are skipping medical advice in favor of viral social media “sleep hacks.” The survey explored how gender and age shape attitudes toward sleep health, revealing key differences in who seeks help, who suffers in silence and why misinformation online may be making the problem worse.

In a conversation with The Educated Patient, Christopher J. Allen, M.D., a board-certified sleep medicine physician, pediatric neurologist and sleep science adviser at Aeroflow Sleep, explained what’s behind this epidemic of exhaustion. Allen says chronic overstimulation — from screens, stress and irregular schedules — has left people “tired but wired.” He warns that DIY fixes like mouth taping or viral supplements can be risky, especially for people with undiagnosed sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. Instead, he encourages patients to take sleep seriously, track their symptoms and seek help from a qualified clinician. “You don’t have to figure it out alone,” he says. “There are real solutions—and it starts with a conversation.”

The survey found that 81% of Americans struggle with sleep. Why do you think so many people are having trouble getting good rest today?

Christopher J. Allen, M.D.: We’re living in a time of chronic overstimulation with constant notifications, stress from work-life imbalance, late-night screen use and unpredictable routines. Our bodies are tired, but our nervous systems are wired. Add to that poor sleep hygiene and rising rates of undiagnosed sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, and it’s no surprise that quality rest is becoming rare.

Many respondents said they turn to online sleep trends — like mouth taping — instead of talking to a doctor. What are the risks of following unverified sleep advice from social media?

CA: The biggest risk is mistaking a symptom for a solution. Something like mouth taping might seem harmless, but if someone has undiagnosed sleep apnea or nasal obstruction, it could be dangerous. Social media trends often offer quick fixes without addressing underlying causes. Sleep is personal and what works for one person might harm another, especially without medical guidance.

Why do you think there’s still such a big gap in sleep health education, even though sleep is so essential to our health?

CA: Sleep hasn’t always been taken as seriously as nutrition or exercise in public health conversations. It’s only recently that we’ve started to understand how deeply sleep affects mental health, metabolism, memory and even immune function. Unfortunately, many clinicians still receive limited training in sleep medicine, and that trickles down to patients. There’s a lot of catching up to do.

The data show a “gender flip” in who seeks medical help for sleep — young women go more often, but middle-aged men take the lead later in life. What might explain this pattern?

CA: Younger women tend to be more proactive about health overall and are often more attuned to how sleep affects mood, energy and hormones. As men age, they may experience more physical consequences of poor sleep like high blood pressure or memory issues. This is what usually finally pushes them to seek help. It’s also possible that cultural norms shift with age, making it more acceptable for older men to talk about health concerns.

More than half of older women with sleep problems don’t seek help at all. What would you say to women who think poor sleep is just a normal part of aging?

CA: Poor sleep is common with age, but it’s not something you have to accept as “normal.” If you’re waking up exhausted, struggling to fall or stay asleep, or dealing with frequent nighttime awakenings, there could be a treatable cause — like sleep apnea, medication side effects or hormonal changes. Help is available, and good sleep is possible at any age.

For people who are struggling with sleep but unsure where to start, what are the first steps they should take to get professional help?

CA: Start by tracking your sleep patterns. With that, you should see how long it takes to fall asleep, how often you wake up and how rested you feel in the morning. Bring that to your primary care doctor and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. If needed, ask for a referral to a sleep specialist. Sleep studies (at-home or in-lab) can uncover issues like apnea or restless legs syndrome. You don’t have to figure it out alone. There are real solutions — and it starts with a conversation.