Sleep is essential to your health, safety and quality of life. If you are not getting enough sleep or you are having difficulty sleeping, talk with your doctor and get help. Most sleep problems and sleep disorders can be diagnosed and are treatable in safe and effective ways.

Preparing for Your Visit

What to do:

Observe your sleep schedule and habits. When is it difficult to sleep? How often do you have problems sleeping? Also be aware of any sleepiness you feel in the daytime or when you expect to be awake. Note if and how it affects your ability to function and enjoy life. Are you:

• having difficulty concentrating or making decisions?
• experiencing drowsiness when you drive or are engaged in other activities?
• feeling moody or irritable with others?

You may want to complete a quick and helpful questionnaire called the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to rate your level of daytime sleepiness. You will get immediate results.

It is helpful to maintain a Sleep Diary for about two weeks to record your sleep and health habits. This can be used in your discussion with your doctor.

What to bring:

• Sleep diary and/or results of Epworth test
• List of medications or other aids/supplements you are taking
• A medical history or jot down major illnesses or procedures
• Information you may have read from the Internet, newspaper or other sources
• A list of questions and information about your sleep

You may also want to bring a family member, particularly your bed partner, who may have observed you experiencing sleep problems. S/he may also provide helpful information (for example, how often you snore or have limb twists or jerks during sleep) and participate in and help support your treatment program.

During Your Visit

Communication is the key to a successful doctor-patient relationship and will help you receive the greatest benefit from your health care. So that your doctor can learn about your problems, it is best to come prepared with a complete description and information about your sleep experiences.

Important Sleep Information and Experiences to Share with Your Doctor

• You snore most nights — and how loudly
• You experience or have been told that you gasp for breath or stop breathing during sleep
• You feel sleepy during the day or fall asleep when reading, watching TV or are engaged in daily activities
• You fell asleep or dozed off when driving or while at work or school
• You have difficulty falling or staying asleep — and how often
• You wake up often feeling tired and not rested
• The number of hours you usually sleep each night
• Whether you keep a regular bed and wake time
• You often have disruptions to your sleep — due to any cause
• You are taking any sleeping pills or other treatments to help you sleep better
• List of medications or supplements you are taking
• You use alcohol or smoke regularly
• The time of day you use caffeine products, exercise and eat your last meal
• You experience nighttime heartburn, pain or the need to urinate
• Your level of stress and whether you have experienced lifestyle changes recently
• You are a night or rotating shiftworker