Do you know if you should discuss your sleep problems with your doctor?

When counting sheep doesn't work... perhaps you need to discuss your sleep problems with your doctor

When does a sleep problem become a real problem that you need to talk to your doctor about?

What steps should you take before you talk with your doctor?

If you have trouble sleeping, snore, wake up short of breath, ect., there is more going on inside your body than just the outward symptoms!

Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can cause:

High blood pressure

Hardening of the Arteries

Reduced blood oxygen

Central nervous system disorders

Can lead to diabetes, heart disease, stroke ect.,

Do you snore? If so, it not only can stress your body and affect your health but your spouse's as well

So just how does snoring affect the body, even mild snoring affects your blood oxygen levels as you struggle to breathe but it also increases your heart rate and blood pressure as well placing stress on your bodys vital organs as they compete for the limited oxygen supply.

Do you snore when you sleep?

Now I don't mean the typical snore, but do you SNORE so loudly that your spouse gets up and sleeps on the couch?

If so, you need to discuss your snoring problem with your doctor.

This type of snoring is due to the soft tissues in your palate or throat relaxing and vibrating loudly. This may be a simple or a complex problem that your doctor will want to ask you some questions about.

Make a list of any other symptoms you may have and bring it with you to your doctors appointment.

the common symptoms of asthma you should be aware of...

Do you wake up short of breath at night?

This could be simple allergies or something more serious.

Your doctor will want to know if you have asthma or known allergies.

He will have other questions for you so you should right down a list of your symptoms including how often you wake up short of breath.

This could be simple like asthma or allergies, or more complex like sleep apnea or other respiratory problems.

If you are falling asleep at work you need to talk to your doctor

Do you have a hard time staying awake during the day?

Odds are if you are having a hard time staying awake during the day it is due to you not receiving a good nights sleep.

You may not even be aware that you are having a problem sleeping.

People with sleep apnea often times are not even aware that they are waking up several hundred times a night!

If you have a spouse talk to them and ask them if they have ever noticed an unusual breathing pattern while you are asleep.

If they have, you need to make an appointment with your doctor to be assessed for sleep apnea.

too many car accidents happen as a result of the driver falling asleep at the wheel

Do you fall asleep at odd times, like when you are driving? Especially in stop and go or heavy traffic???

Most of us hate to admit it but it is not all that uncommon for people with sleep disorders to momentarily dose off while at the wheel in heavy traffic!

Falling asleep at the wheel is dangerous for everyone involved, you, your family in the car, and others on the road, sidewalk, street corner, ect!!!

Don't think, I am almost home, I can make it... most accidents occur within 10 miles of home... how many were drivers that dozed off???

SEE YOUR DOCTOR and discuss your sleep problems!

american academy of sleep medicine

Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? If this is a recurrent problem that has lasted a month or more it is time to talk with your doctor about your sleep problems.

He will ask you about your particular sleep problem so keep a diary of what you did prior to bed, to help him.

There are both over the counter and prescription meds you can take to help you fall asleep or stay asleep.

for those who experience night terrors, they see something that is not there.

Do you have night terrors?

Night terrors is when you seem to be awake to others but you are sound asleep. you may appear to be looking at something and responding to something that is not really there, but you still see it all the same.

They can be horrific to the sleeper or a simple nusiance.

Talk to your doctor about your night terrors!

If you suffer from frequent nightmares you should discuss it with your doctor

Nightmares can be either recurrent, continuations or something different every night. If they occur with some frequency they should be brought up to your doctor.

Everyone experiences nightmares from time time but if they are exceptionally frightening or happen with some regularity you should talk to your doctor

there are several pillows on the market that try to help you get a good nights sleep

Things you can do to try to get a good nights sleep before talking to your doctor.

Try a new pillow, sometimes your sleep problems may be caused by your head or neck in the wrong position. They sell several types of posture pillows that help keep your head in the correct posture to aid you in getting a good nights sleep.

there are several throat sprays and tablets you can take to help stop snoring

For mild to moderate snoring you can try a stop snoring spray.

You may find it necessary to repeat the application during the night.

Be sure to follow all directions but if you have tried everything in this article and still have a snoring problem...

SEE YOUR DOCTOR

breathe right nasal strips or other similar devices may help open your airways and give you a good nights sleep

Breathe Right Nasal Strips or similar device that opens up the nasal passageways may help you breathe better and thereby stop or reduce your snoring and shortness of breath.

If they do not help you sleep better and you have tried the other suggestions in this article...

SEE YOUR DOCTOR

listening to music can help you sleep

Sometimes spending a quiet hour relaxing before going to bed can help you fall asleep.

you may want to try listening to music while trying to fall asleep

listen to your favorite music using soft headphones so that  you don't disturb your spouse

Use headphones to listen to your favorite music or audio-books to fall asleep.

If you listen to the same audio-book or music track over and over it may help you fall asleep or stay asleep since you won't catch yourself accidentally trying to pay attention to what is being played

Again if these suggestions do not help SEE YOUR DOCTOR

stack pillows under you to raise your head higher than your feet.

Some doctors will ask you how many pillows you sleep with, this is because people with breathing problems often find that propping themselves with pillows helps them breathe easier and thereby fall asleep more comfortably.

Add pillows to the head of the bed, this works the same as the step above only your spouse isn't stuck in the same position as you. This may keep the two of you sleeping in the same bed.

You can try to elevate the head of the bed, they sell blocks that you put under the legs at the head of your bed to raise it up higher than the foot. This puts your head higher than your feet and eases symptoms for some people.

If not SEE YOUR DOCTOR

Again If these tips do not solve your problem, SEE YOUR DOCTOR

Coffee or other caffinated beverages may be your bedtime kryptonite

Do not drink coffee or other caffenated drinks 2 or more hours before bedtime. Caffeine can keep you awake, or let you go to sleep only to wake up later. Try to limit all caffeine intake. For some people even one cup of coffee in the morning could be the cause of their inability to fall asleep at night!

Once again If these tips do not solve your problem, SEE YOUR DOCTOR

pain can be a big cause of sleep problems

Pain can most definatly cause sleep disorders!

Treat your pain, if your pain is greater than over the counter medications.... SEE YOUR DOCTOR

Do you think you may have Cronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia?

These chronic conditions are real and severely compromise the sufferers ability to acheive restorative sleep. If you think you may be suffering from either of the above 2 syndromes please speak with your doctor, there are treatment options finally available!