Tips for Talking with Your Doctor About Insomnia and Why It Matters

Tips for Talking with Your Doctor About Insomnia and Why It Matters

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Here's all you need to know about sleep disorders, irregular sleep schedules, insomnia, when to see a specialist, and more.


Chronic insomnia can affect daily life. To prepare for a doctor’s visit to discuss treatment for your insomnia, track your sleep habits and write down any questions you may have.


There’s a long list of health complications linked to long-term lack of sleep. Chronic insomnia can also seriously affect your quality of life, from constantly feeling tired to an increased


risk of depression.


The occasional bout of sleeplessness is no cause for alarm. But if you go night after night without getting a full night’s sleep, that’s a wake-up call to reach out to a doctor for help.


Most doctors understand that sleep disorders are a major health concern.


Try to raise the subject of sleep if you’re having issues with your doctor if they don’t bring it up. If you have chronic insomnia, you shouldn’t sweep it under the rug.


You can try a few things at home first to improve your sleep before reaching out to your doctor. This includes, but isn’t limited to:


If these steps don’t resolve your insomnia, you should discuss your sleep concerns with your doctor.


Your doctor may be able to recommend behavioral therapy to help you overcome your chronic insomnia, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.


“I recommend using cognitive behavioral therapy as the first-line treatment for insomnia since it is safer, more lasting, and at least as effective as any sleep medication,” says Pietro L.


Ratti, MD, a neurologist and sleep specialist.


Your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist or a sleep disorder center, where your sleeping patterns can be monitored and analyzed during an overnight sleep study.


According to the National Sleep Foundation, good sleep quality is defined as:


You may have chronic insomnia that needs to be addressed if your sleep patterns consistently fall short of these standards.


According to the National Sleep Foundation, good sleep quality is defined as:


You may have chronic insomnia that needs to be addressed if your sleep patterns consistently fall short of these standards.


The National Institutes of Health suggests chronic insomnia may increase your risk of physical and mental health conditions, including:


The National Institutes of Health suggests chronic insomnia may increase your risk of physical and mental health conditions, including:


Insomnia can be prevented in some cases. You can try to develop a good sleep routine, which may include:


Insomnia can be prevented in some cases. You can try to develop a good sleep routine, which may include:


Chronic insomnia is a serious health condition. It can lead to or worsen other physical and mental health disorders.


Talk with your doctor about any chronic sleep problems. You can prepare questions ahead of time and use an app or paper to track your sleep habits to discuss with your doctor.


Self-help techniques may be effective in resolving chronic insomnia, but your doctor also can recommend treatments for chronic insomnia, including behavioral therapy and medication.


Insomnia is not fun to live with, but it can make for a good punch line every now and then. Learn to laugh along with your condition.


Looking for home remedies to help manage insomnia? Check out our picks for the best products to help you fall asleep faster and sleep better.


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