Talking to Your Doctor About Sleep Problems

Talking to Your Doctor About Sleep Problems

Talking to Your Doctor About Sleep Problems

How do you know when it’s time to talk to your doctor about your sleep? Look out for these telltale signs.

• You regularly have trouble falling or staying asleep
• You often wake up earlier than you’d like to
• You don’t feel refreshed upon waking up
• You feel excessively sleepy or tired during the day, even if you slept for 7 hours the night before
• You feel the need to take naps during the day to feel adequately rested
• You have difficulty performing daily activities due to your sleep problems
• You fall asleep while driving, watching television, or reading
• You have had a sleep partner tell you that you snore or gasp loudly during the evening
• Your sleep partner has told you that you seem to sleepwalk, act out your dreams, or otherwise make abnormal movements during the night

If you’ve experienced any of the above more than one night a week for multiple weeks in a row, it’s time to talk to a doctor about your sleep.

How to Prepare for Your Appointment

Coming prepared for your appointment will help your doctor understand your problems. In the weeks leading up to your appointment, you should keep a sleep diary, noting when you went to sleep, when you woke up and how often you woke up during the night. A sleep diary can be a useful tool when it comes to getting to the root of your problem.

What Can You Expect After Speaking to Your Doctor About Sleep Problems?

Based on your medical history and current exam, your doctor will decide on your next steps. Some patients need medication to solve their sleep problems, while some need a sleep study to look further into sleeping patterns. Whatever your next steps are, your doctor will probably ask you to continue your sleep diary so you can see what does and does not work well for you.

Contact Reliable MD Today!

If you are having sleeping problems and need help finding a solution, contact Reliable MD. Our team of sleep specialists will know how to care for you so you can begin to sleep well again. Click here or give us a call at 727-203-4613.