Talk to Your Doctor

Sleep problems are a health issue. That's why it's important to talk to your doctor if you continue having trouble sleeping. Not getting enough quality sleep can 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.

Insomnia can be difficult to diagnose since everyone's sleep patterns and levels of fatigue vary. To help prepare for your doctor's visit, you may want to review some questions your doctor may ask, as well as review and prepare your own questions to ask your doctor.

Do you need to see a sleep specialist?

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 physician 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 or sleep clinics designed to diagnose sleep disorders. Some centers are geared toward assessing breathing-related sleep problems, such as sleep apnea while other centers address a broader range of sleep disorders.

Next: Questions to Ask Your Doctor