Seeking Medical Care for Sleep Problems

While many people suffer from sleep problems, not all of them are compelled to see a doctor or seek treatment. In some cases, people simply don't identify their sleep problems as treatable disorders. Others may recognize they have a sleep disorder but may not think that it's significant enough to require a doctor's care. In any event, those suffering from persistent sleep troubles should consider seeking treatment to better their overall health and quality of life.

When to See a Doctor

Nearly everyone has less than perfect sleep at sometime in his or her life. However, when sleep is regularly disrupted to the point of interfering with daily activities, then a sleep disorder is likely present. These people should seek medical care to diagnose and begin treating their sleep disorder.

How and Why to Seek Treatment

The first step to treating sleep problems is to consult a doctor or therapist to diagnose the exact cause of your disrupted sleep. While sleep may be disrupted because of other medical conditions, such as chronic pain or gastric reflux disease, your sleep environment or the medications you take may also negatively affect your ability to sleep. Finding out the cause of poor sleep is key to selecting the right treatment option.

If sleep disorders are left untreated, a person puts himself at risk of suffering from other health problems, including diabetes, heart attack and depression. Because sleep deprivation decreases the effectiveness of the body's immune system, those with sleep disorders are more likely to get sick. Similarly, a lack of sleep means that the body doesn't have enough time to restore itself, causing those with sleep disorder to age faster than they would if they were getting sufficient sleep. Treating sleep problems will make you feel better and decrease the rate at which you age.

What Doctors Can Do

Doctors can assess all health issues, medications and possible reasons for a sleep problem. Through sleep studies and patients' sleep diaries, they are able to diagnose the sleep disorder.

A sleep study is painless and non-invasive, often involving an overnight stay at a hospital or sleep clinic where all aspects of the patient's health and vitals are monitored. As a patient sleeps, doctors chart his or her sleep stages and brain waves. Through these observations, they can generally identify whether or not a sleep disorder or another underlying condition is upsetting normal sleep.

Some disorders, like sleep apnea, are hard for individuals themselves to detect, as symptoms only occur when the person is sleeping. For sleep troubles such as these, participating in a sleep therapy study is especially helpful.

Treatment and Management of Sleep Problems

Some of the most common sleep problems are sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement, narcolepsy and insomnia.

While patients have a variety of treatment options for these common sleep disorders, here are some of the more popular, effective ways to treat them:

Insomnia: Although you can take mediation for insomnia, changes in lifestyle may be enough to cure this sleep disorder. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol and nicotine before bed can help, and removing the television and other distractions from the bedroom can help as well. Some insomniacs have found that practicing relaxation techniques releases muscle tension and puts them in a restful state that makes it easier to get to sleep.
Narcolepsy: While medicines are usually necessary in narcolepsy treatment, some people find that taking brief naps throughout the day helps.
Restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement: Along with medication, some people find that an iron supplement will lessen or alleviate the problem. Avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol is also a good idea, as these tend to worsen the condition.
Sleep apnea: Although those with more severe cases of sleep apnea may need to get special breathing masks to wear while they sleep, this condition is also kept in check by maintaining a healthy weight, as overweight people are more prone to sleep apnea. Sleeping on your side or stomach may also help.

Resources

JABFM (2005). Help-Seeking for Insomnia among Adult Patients in Primary Care. Retrieved July 5, 2007, from the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Web site: http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/18/4/257.

NJC (2007). Treatment and Management of Sleep Disorders. Retrieved July 5, 2007, from the National Jewish Medical and Research Center Web site: http://www.njc.org/disease-info/diseases/sleep/treatments/
index.aspx.