Coping with insomnia is undeniably one of the most dreadful complications you can deal with at some point in your life. After all, you risk struggling to go about your daily activities due to lack of sleep. In a nutshell, insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it difficult to fall asleep, hard to stay sleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep.
No wonder you should determine whether or not you’re suffering from insomnia to find the most viable treatment within the shortest time possible. And you don’t have to go overboard considering there are numerous ways to go about this. Depending on your situation, the diagnosis of insomnia and the search of its cause may include different factors. Below are some of the most notable ones;
Physical Exam
In the event that the cause of insomnia is unknown, your medical practitioner may perform a physical exam to look for signs of medical problems related to insomnia. Occasionally, a blood test may be done to check for thyroid problems or other conditions that may be associated with poor sleep. It is then that they will settle on the most viable treatment option to leverage.
Sleep Habits Review
Aside from asking you sleep-related questions, your medical practitioner may have you complete a questionnaire to determine your sleep-wake pattern and your level of daytime sleepiness. You may also be asked to keep a sleep diary for a couple of weeks. This way, they can easily perform sleep habits reviews to better determine whether or not you’re suffering from insomnia.
Sleep Study
When the cause of insomnia isn’t clear enough, or you have signs of another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome, you may need to spend a night at a sleep center. Tests are done to monitor and record a variety of body activities while you sleep, including breathing, brain waves, eye movements, and body movements.
Final Thoughts
Diagnosing insomnia is now way easier compared to a couple of years back. If you suspect that you might be suffering from insomnia, then it makes sense for you to seek medical attention within the shortest time possible. The good news is changing your sleep habits and addressing any issues that may be associated with insomnia can help restore sleep.
