Consult Your Healthcare Provider
Sleep problems are a health issue. They affect how well you function, how
you feel emotionally, and may even affect how well your immune system fights off
disease. Since sleep problems may be a symptom of an underlying illness, it’s
important to discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Making the most of your Healthcare Provider’s visit
A little preparation can make your healthcare provider’s appointment more productive.
- Track your sleep patterns by using a sleep diary, and bring it with you to your
appointment.
- Review Questions Your Healthcare Provider May Ask
as a way to prepare for your appointment.
- Schedule an appointment specifically to discuss your sleep problems.
- If you choose to address your sleep concerns as part of another visit, remember
to mention the sleep problems during the examination.
Do you need to see a sleep specialist?
As the health-care profession has become increasingly aware of the importance of
sleep, professionals from a range of disciplines — including neurology, pulmonology
(lungs), psychiatry, psychology, and otorhinolaryngology (ears/nose/throat) —
have developed secondary specializations in the area of sleep.
Many certified sleep specialists require referrals from patients’
primary physicians, so the best plan of action is to see your own healthcare provider first.
If your primary care healthcare provider suspects a serious sleep disorder or feels testing would
be beneficial, he or she may refer you to a specialist. Some sleep specialists operate
sleep centers sleep centers or sleep labs
designed to diagnose sleep disorders. Some centers are geared toward assessing breathing-related
sleep problems, such as sleep apnea sleep apnea
while other centers address a broader range of sleep disorders.
Read more about sleep solutions: