One of the most crucial facets of a person’s overall health is whether they get the proper amount of sleep every night. The human body needs a certain amount of sleep depending upon factors like age, lifestyle, and health.
Some people are early risers, some people are night owls – and neither is better or worse than the other as far as wellness. However, signs of a sleep disorder include the inability to fall asleep within a half-hour each night, perpetual fatigue, and daytime irritability.
Also, people who wake up several times during the night and cannot quickly fall back asleep will experience difficulty concentrating and daytime sleepiness. They may require stimulants like caffeine to stay awake during the day.
So, what is the best way to tell whether you have a sleep disorder? Let’s talk about the various factors involved and who can help you determine why you may have trouble sleeping.
Diagnosing Sleep Disorders
The first step to figuring out whether you have a sleep disorder is by keeping a sleep journal. Upon waking each morning, write down how many hours of sleep you just had. Also note how you feel after waking up, the number of times you awoke during the night, and how easily you were able to fall back to sleep each time.
It can be difficult to ascertain certain conditions, such as sleep apnea, because you’re sleeping through the issues. Many people only know they have sleep apnea because their family members have told them that they have trouble breathing while they sleep.
All of that is why it is important to have a licensed physician perform a sleep study at a sleep center to figure out what the problem is. A sleep study is often the best way to get answers regarding sleep problems.
Types of Sleep Disorders
The most common sleep disorders are insomnia, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and sleep apnea:
Insomnia, the most common sleep disorder, is characterized by the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Other health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease can contribute to insomnia.
Restless legs syndrome is when a person’s legs have creeping aches and pains that get worse when lying down or resting. A neurological disorder, this condition makes the person want to constantly move their legs – making falling asleep quite difficult.
Sleep apnea is a condition whereby a person’s breathing stops and restarts numerous times during the night. It can cause snorting and gasping for air. However, it does not necessarily wake the person who has it, because they’re sleeping through it; but because the quality of the sleep is poor, the person may feel tired during the day.
A sleep disorder will cause daily feelings of fatigue, exhaustion, irritability, moodiness, and anxiety. Listen to your family members or those who live with you, because they may have feedback about your sleep that you aren’t aware of. A sleep study can help a doctor figure out your sleep issues so treatment can be prescribed.
Sleep Physicians in Fort Worth
If you have tried everything and still do not feel well-rested in the morning, contact your local sleep professional. Sleep specialists and physicians at a sleep center can help provide you with answers and solutions to your problems sleeping.
If you are in the Weatherford or Fort Worth area, contact our caring team at the Lung & Sleep Specialists of North Texas and schedule a consultation with a sleep professional. Call us today at (817) 594-9993 or request an appointment online, and look forward to getting a better night’s sleep every night!
