How To Diagnose Your Sleep Problem

Sleep Disorders, Sleep Remedies & Insomnia Relief

For many sufferers of insomnia and other related sleep problems it may be a simple path to finding the underlying cause and applicable treatment. For others it may be more difficult to diagnose why they are unable to complete a good night's sleep. If behavior modifications do not help improve your particular situation it may be necessary to consult your personal doctor or seek out a specialist in sleep disorders.

When working with your doctor he will want to first of all determine if there is an underlying health issue. To do so, he will begin by having you try the very basic of changes in your routine, diet and environment. The results will help eliminate some possibilities. If you have kept a diary of your sleep patterns for the past few weeks it will go a long way to speeding up this process of narrowing down the pertinent issues.

A sleep diary should cover such aspects as the times you went to bed and what times you woke up. It is helpful if you include the details of when you woke up during the night, how long you remained awake, and what you did to get back to sleep - if anything. Further information will list what you ate during the day, the times of your meals and the amounts. This would take in what liquids you drank as well. Another vital piece of data should list any medications you are taking, with the amounts and times included.

Because the state of our minds and emotions can play such a role in our health it would also be helpful for a doctor to reach a diagnosis if you are open about any worries and anxieties that you may be experiencing as well.

Beside your age and gender your doctor will be interested in your own description of your symptoms and your medical history. If the doctor is unable to find a straightforward explanation from this initial examination for your sleep problems he will in most likelihood recommend that you see a specialist in a sleep clinic.

The main objective of the sleep center is to be able to monitor your sleep first hand. This means that they will provide you with a private room and will attach a number of monitors to you before you prepare to sleep. These monitors will be recording such information as rapid eye movement, your muscle movements, your heart rate and your brain waves.

Once they have this information you will be able to leave and return to your usual routine. The results will be analyzed and shared with your physician and with yourself. A treatment plan will be discussed if necessary. If further information need be gathered the clinic can at times provide the patient with equipment to do so at home.

Other tests can include one that monitors the movement and responses of your brain, eye movements and muscles during a daytime nap. And another that measures how long it takes for you to fall asleep in a situation where they actually ask you to try and stay awake. Typically you will be put in a darkened and quiet room - asked to close your eyes yet try to stay awake. Along with this analysis the doctors may also conduct blood tests that will either highlight or eliminate certain possible illnesses that may be affecting your sleep.

Though the entire process may take some time, you will have the empathy of qualified professionals that are eager to find a solution to your problem. This thoughtful process is worth your patience and effort.