having difficulty maintaining sleep is a very common problem; you are definitely not alone! insomnia in all its forms is the commonest sleep disorder. there are many causes of sleep maintenance insomnia. some common ones include sleep hygiene/habits that prevent sleep continuity (such as alcohol or caffeine use in the evening) poor sleep environment (pets in bed bad mattress snoring from bed partner etc. ) use of certain medications at night certain medical and psychiatric disorders and various sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea leg movements at night). the list of disorders that can cause this problem is large. you should definitely discuss this with your family physician. he/she may be able to recommend ways to improve your sleep; if not he/she may refer you to a sleep specialist. however i would not necessarily simply get a sleep study as that in of itself may not lead to a diagnosis.
i have no trouble falling asleep. but i wake up between 15-20 times a night. do i need to undergo a sleep study?