Some sleep issues are symptomatic of insomnia, a sleep disorder affecting up to one-third of self-reporting adults that describes a chronic difficulty with falling or staying asleep.
Other sleep issues can point to other sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, or parasomnias like sleepwalking or REM sleep behavior disorder.
Some of the health conditions associated with poorer-quality sleep include chronic pain, cancer, acid reflux, diabetes, depression, or hormonal changes due to pregnancy or menopause. In addition to asking you questions, your doctor will likely perform a physical examination to determine if one of these conditions is affecting your sleep.
For example, they may listen to your heart and lungs, or check the size of your tonsils or neck. Based on your history and exam, your doctor will determine the appropriate next steps. While some patients expect to receive medication upon initially seeking professional help for their sleep issues, doctors often recommend alternative treatments first, such as sleep hygiene, therapy, or refer you to a specialist. As you begin treatment, your doctor will likely ask you to continue keeping your sleep diary so they can see whether the treatment is working, and adjust things as needed.
Better sleep hygiene is commonly the first step in treatment. Your doctor may recommend following a consistent sleep schedule every day, changing your diet or exercise regimen, developing a calming bedtime routine, or making adjustments to your bedroom environment to make it more conducive to sleep.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia , or CBT-I, may also be recommended. CBT-I focuses on helping you recognize the thoughts and behaviors that disturb your sleep such as nighttime stress or worry, or drinking too much caffeine and replacing them with behaviors that enable healthy sleep. If your doctor suspects a sleep disorder is causing your sleep issues, they may refer you to a sleep specialist.
Sleep specialists have specialized training in sleep medicine, and they will ask you more questions about your symptoms before providing a specific diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Often, they will perform an overnight sleep study known as a polysomnogram where they monitor your sleep along with other vitals like your brainwaves, breathing, and eye and limb movements. Some sleep disorders are actually a symptom of an underlying issue, which, once treated, relieves the sleep problem.
Your doctor may focus first on treating that issue. For example, they may prescribe antidepressants if they determine anxiety or depression is contributing to your sleep issues. Many sleep problems can be alleviated or resolved with proper diagnosis and treatment. They may recommend certain lifestyle changes and sleep hygiene tips to improve your sleep. More serious conditions may be treated with a combination of sleep hygiene, therapy, and medications.
Danielle writes in-depth articles about sleep solutions and holds a psychology degree from the University of British Columbia. Wright, M. She has a decade of experience in the study of disease. Learn about at-home sleep studies, a cost-effective way to test for sleep apnea, and how they differ from sleep lab….
A sleep diary is a simple way to track key details about your sleep habits. It can offer valuable information…. If your doctor suggests you undergo a sleep study, or polysomnography, you may be wondering what is involved in this…. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website.
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Our editors and medical experts rigorously evaluate every article and guide to ensure the information is factual, up-to-date, and free of bias. This can contribute to type 2 diabetes. Winter says. There are plenty of reasons why this might happen, Rita Aouad, M. Insomnia or restless legs syndrome are also common causes, Dr. Aouad says. Insomnia is a disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep, according to the Mayo Clinic. Anyone can experience bouts of insomnia that last for days or weeks as a result of stress or a traumatic event, but some people have chronic insomnia that lasts for a month or more.
This kind of insomnia can happen all on its own, or it can be linked with medical conditions like anxiety and asthma. Medications like antidepressants , which can affect neurotransmitters that influence sleep, and cold medicines, which may contain caffeine, can also lead to insomnia.
Restless legs syndrome is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, and it often happens at night when you lie down to go to bed, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The list of things that can rouse you at night is long. This issue could be due to aforementioned problems like sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome. Another potential cause is acid reflux , which happens when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, causing a burning sensation that can disrupt sleep. Bruxism a disorder that causes you to clench or grind your teeth , can also cause pain that jolts you awake out of nowhere.
Given that the list of potential causes here is lengthy and diverse, if you have trouble staying asleep, your doctor will want to do a thorough evaluation and ask questions about your symptoms. That will help them recommend treatment for whatever is causing you to wake up too often. These meds can also have side effects like feeling excessively groggy the next day. Adusumilli says. Narcolepsy could also be the culprit. Learn about sleep conditions that can hurt your heart, other health conditions linked to lack of sleep, and how to….
Weighted blankets can be beneficial for sleep disorders as well as anxiety and restless leg syndrome. But what size blanket should you buy to maximize…. While antihistamines and other over-the-counter sleep aids contain ingredients that make you drowsy, they may not be the best solution. If you live with insomnia, you may want to learn how cognitive behavioral therapy CBT can help. Learn how CBT works for insomnia. Chronic insomnia can affect your physical and mental health in ways that extend far beyond waking up groggy.
Being unable to sleep is incredibly frustrating, and it can make you feel miserable the next day. Here are 20 simple tips to fall asleep as fast as…. Insomnia treatment can include lifestyle changes, behavioral therapies, or medications. Learn about the treatment options. Anthropophobia is a fear of people. Typically, a fear of people is associated with…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. When to talk with your doctor about chronic insomnia.
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