Feeling Tired? A Sleep Diary Can Help You Figure Out the Problem

Have you been feeling tired lately, and you can’t quite pinpoint the reason why? It would be wise to visit your doctor to discuss your symptoms; they might recommend that you undergo a sleep study. You can prepare for your appointment by keeping a sleep diary in Vero Beach for a couple of weeks. What is a sleep diary, and how can it help you and your doctor to gain insight into the quality of your rest? Let’s talk about the answers to these important questions.

What Is a Sleep Diary?

A sleep diary is a record of how well you sleep and factors that may be influencing your sleep quality. Here are some examples of the information that it may include:

• Your bedtimes and wake times
• How often you get up during the night
• How much alcohol and caffeine you consume, and when you consume it
• Your medications
• When and how much you exercise
• The types of stress and emotions you experience
• Notes on how rested and refreshed you feel

To help you start a sleep diary, you can easily find free templates online. Or, you can download a convenient app for your smartphone.

How a Sleep Diary Can Aid in Diagnosis

A sleep diary by itself can provide a lot of insight into the factors that are influencing how well you rest. However, it is not enough by itself to diagnose a sleep disorder. Bring your sleep diary with you when you visit your doctor to talk about your sleep problems. They may review the data and ask you some questions about what they see there.

If your experiences point toward a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea in Vero Beach, you may need to undergo a sleep study. A sleep study is a noninvasive test wherein machines monitor your breathing, movements, and other health indicators for a night. Pauses in breathing indicate sleep apnea. Once you have an official diagnosis, you can begin to explore your treatment options.

Is a Sleep Diary Really Necessary?

Many people have figured out their sleep problems without keeping a sleep diary. However, it can be quite useful for people who do not look like the “typical” sleep apnea patient. Many doctors do not have extensive training in sleep apnea, so they may be predisposed to think that only overweight men suffer from it. That idea may stop them from considering it as a diagnosis for other groups of people. A sleep diary can help your doctor get a clear picture of your symptoms and get you on the path to feeling better.

Has your sleep been suffering lately? A sleep diary may be just what you need to figure out what the problem is and take appropriate action.  

Meet the Sleep Apnea Expert

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a dentist with decades of experience. He has devoted many years to learning the art of addressing sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. If you believe you are suffering from sleep apnea, he can help you to arrange for testing. To learn more about Dr. Mogell and his services, contact his Vero Beach office at 772-882-6800.