Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep per night, and statistics show that one in three adults don’t get that much sleep. If you’re one of those people who isn’t getting the sleep they need, you may have a sleep disorder, and a sleep specialist could be your answer to a restful night’s sleep.
Symptoms of sleep disorders can range from insomnia and snoring to nodding off during the day. A qualified sleep specialist can help determine the causes of your sleep problems and help you find the solution. But where do you even start? And how do you know if your sleep problems need to be addressed?
This article is going to help answer those questions. We will discuss what a sleep specialist does, when you should see them, how they can help, how to find a doctor, and some helpful questions to ask at your appointment.
What is a Sleep Specialist?
A sleep specialist has specialized training in sleep disorders and sleep medicine. Typically, sleep specialists train in internal medicine, pediatrics, neurology, or psychiatry during their residency. After completing their residency, they must complete a sleep medicine fellowship program and be board-certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine.
How Can a Sleep Specialist Help Me?
When you see a sleep specialist, they will perform a complete physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history, lifestyle, and other health conditions you may have. They will also ask questions about your symptoms.
Your answers will be used to determine if you qualify for a polysomnogram, also known as a sleep study. If they determine that you don’t need a sleep study, they may refer you to another specialist, such as a psychologist, or prescribe you medication.
During a sleep study, you will have electrodes attached to your body, and a sleep technician will monitor your heart rate, brain waves, eye movement, leg twitching, and muscle tensing. They will also monitor your airflow in and out of your nose and mouth, and the movement of your chest wall. Your sleep specialist will use the results to diagnose relevant sleep disorders.
When Should I See a Sleep Specialist?
You should contact a sleep specialist if you notice that your sleeping problems are negatively impacting your health and well-being. Start with speaking to your primary care doctor, who can determine if your symptoms can be alleviated by seeing a sleep specialist.
Here are some other instances when you should contact a sleep specialist:
- Snoring or gasping for air while you sleep
- Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Feeling sleepy during the day, even after you’ve slept at night
- Performing daily tasks becomes difficult because you’re too tired
How Do I Find a Sleep Specialist?
The easiest way to find a sleep specialist is to talk to your primary care physician. The helpful thing about a physician referral is that they know your symptoms and can direct you to the proper specialist. You can also search the American Academy of Sleep Medicine website or your insurance company’s “Find a Doctor” search tool.
Helpful Questions to Ask at Your Appointment
After you’ve scheduled your consultation, it’s essential to have a list of questions together to ask your sleep specialist. Here are some examples.
- Why am I always tired?
- Why is it so hard for me to fall asleep?
- Why can’t I stay asleep?
- Why do I keep waking up throughout the night?
- Why are my legs so restless at night?
- Why do I snore?
- This is impacting my partner. What can I do to help?
- What sleep disorder do I have?
- What is causing my sleep disorder?
- What are my long-term treatment options?
- How can I prevent becoming dependent on sleeping pills?
- Can I take sleeping pills with my other medications?
- What are the side effects of sleeping pills?
Get the Sleep You Deserve in Less Than a Month With DreamZz Sleep Center
Seeing a sleep specialist can be beneficial if you are having trouble sleeping or staying awake during the day. Recognizing the signs indicating that you need to see a sleep specialist is essential to ensure your overall health and well-being. Taking care of sleep problems in a timely manner can help you get back to the restful night’s sleep you deserve.
At DreamZz Sleep Center, we want to get you treatment as soon as possible. Unlike other major sleep facilities, we guarantee a consultation and sleep study within two weeks of your initial call. Our fellowship-trained and Sleep Medicine board-certified physician will review your symptoms and provide you with treatment options that can begin in less than a month.
Don’t waste another night. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
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