When You Visit Your Doctor - Insomnia

Insomnia

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

  • Are you particularly stressed at work or at home?
  • Are you depressed or anxious?
  • Do you have any underlying medical problems such as hyperthyroidism or sleep apnea?
  • Do you snore?
  • Do you have chronic pain or difficulty breathing at night?
  • Do you have restlessness or twitching of your legs at night?
  • Do you drink caffeine-containing beverages after noon (such as coffee or sodas)?
  • Do you use stimulants? Drink alcohol? Take sedatives? Smoke cigarettes?
  • Do you take any medications?
  • What time do you usually go to bed?
  • What time do you get up in the morning?
  • Do you eat or work before going to bed?
  • Have you noticed changes in your sleep patterns?
  • Do you wake frequently at night?
  • Do you feel tired during the day?
  • How long do you stay in bed before you fall asleep?
  • Do you have worries about not sleeping?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

  • Blood pressure, heart rate, weight
  • General physical exam

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

  • Complete blood cell count
  • Thyroid function
  • Sleep study with monitoring of heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen level, eye movements, and brain waves