When To See A Sleep Specialist
The first step in determining if you have a sleep issue is to notify your health care practitioner.
In some cases, you may be sent to a specialist by your primary care physician to be diagnosed and treated for your sleep condition.
The following are examples of sleep disorders you should bring up:
- Awakening from a fit of snoring or a severe case of snoring
- A nightly average of at least 30 minutes spent trying to get to sleep
- Recurring nighttime awakenings that make it impossible to get a good night’s rest
- Getting out of bed too early in the morning and not feeling refreshed.
- Even after getting a good night’s sleep, you still feel exhausted.
- Sleeping at the wrong moment (such as while driving)
- The inability to move or think clearly while you’re asleep (being aware of your surroundings but unable to move)
- Frequent nightmares, especially if they’re linked to sleep paralysis or the moment you fall asleep
- Sleepwalking or other unnatural patterns of behavior throughout a sleep cycle
- When you relax, you may have “twitchy” sensations in your legs.
- Cataplexy is a condition in which your muscles suddenly weaken or collapse as a result of intense emotion.
Find out which local sleep specialists are covered by your health insurance by contacting your provider.
Friends and family members may also be able to help you out.
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