When To See A Sleep Doctor Somnologist Seven Reasons

Getting sufficient sleep every night is vital for daily functioning and overall health. However, approximately 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep issues Snoring can occur when your airflow is disrupted because of nasal congestion, excessive body weight, pregnancy, or sleeping on your back “Loud or irregular snoring, especially with pauses in breathing, may indicate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA),” she says. “Waking up gasping or choking and feeling unrefreshed no matter how long you sleep are also warning signs With OSA, your breathing can pause repeatedly during sleep due to a blockage in the upper airway, which often results in not feeling refreshed when you wake up. It is estimated to affect 1 billion people, says Dr. Cai, but the majority remain undiagnosed. Untreated OSA increases the risk of heart disease, heart failure, and heart rhythm issues like atrial fibrillation, and can cause high blood pressure to become resistant to treatment During your first appointment with a sleep doctor, they will ask about your medical history, perform a physical exam (focusing on your throat, airway, and breathing), and ask about your sleep habits. They may recommend further testing, such as a sleep study, and suggest behavioral therapies, lifestyle changes, medications, mechanical devices, or surgery to address your symptoms and improve your sleep quality. Peters recommends keeping a sleep log for two to four weeks and sharing the info with your sleep doctor. In the log, track the time you went to bed, the time you woke up, how long it took to fall asleep, and how many times you woke up during the night. “A careful history helps us determine whether this is a lifelong genetic tendency or if specific factors are exacerbating the disruption

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