Don’t Ignore these Sleep Warnings: When It’s Time to โขSee a Doctor
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by Dr.Michael Lee,โ World-Today-News.com – โJanuary 26,2024
millions of Americans are walking around in a state of chronic sleepโ deprivation,andโฃ shockingly,most haven’t even discussed their sleep issues with a healthcare professional.โ Roughly 20% of the U.S. โpopulation suffersโข fromโข a chronic sleep โขdisorder,but a pervasive silence surroundsโ the โฃtopic. This is concerning, as poor sleepโ isn’t just about feeling tired; it’s deeply intertwined with a host of โserious health conditions.
Conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and even โParkinson’sโ diseaseโค areโฃ frequently linked to underlying sleep disorders.โค Moreover, manyโ commonly prescribed โฃmedications can โขdisrupt sleep patterns. โฃWhile adjusting your โฃ”sleep hygiene” – establishing a regular bedtime,limiting screen time before bed – can be helpful,sometimes theseโค measures โsimplyโ aren’t enough.
Experts agree there are key warning โsigns that โindicateโค it’s time to seek professionalโค help. โฃIgnoring these signals could mean missing a treatable condition that’s impacting your overall โขhealth and well-being. Here are three crucial reasonsโข to schedule an appointmentโข with your โฃdoctor:
1. Persistent Difficulty falling Asleep
Tossing and turning, a โracing mind, and an inability to get agreeable are all hallmarks of potential sleep problems.โข These can be indicators of insomnia,or restless leg syndrome -โฃ a condition characterized byโฃ an overwhelming urge to โmove your legs. While stress โor iron deficiency (anemia) can contribute toโ these issues, frequently enough โthereโ isn’t โคa single,โค obvious โcause.
According to sleep specialist โคDr. Gehrman, a formal diagnosis โคtypically requires experiencingโฃ these symptoms for โขat โคleast threeโ months. However, you shouldn’t wait โthat long if yourโค symptoms are worsening or significantly interfering with your daily life. Don’tโข hesitate toโข seekโค help sooner.
A Red โขFlag: Regularly relyingโฃ on over-the-counter sleep aids like โฃalcohol, Benadryl, cannabis, or even melatonin (without โa doctor’s guidance) is aโ cause for concern. While these substances might offer temporaryโฃ relief,they can actually โฃ degrade sleep quality and mask an underlying sleep disorder.
2. Frequent or Prolonged โคAwakenings During the Night
It’s perfectly normal toโข wake โupโ brieflyโค during the night, especially โas we age. Sleep isn’t a continuous eight-hour stretch. However, Dr. Brienne โMiner, a geriatrician and sleep specialist at Yale โMedicine, explains that awakenings lasting longer than 5-10 minutes, orโ that are consistently bothersome, could signal a problem.
Recent research highlights common culprits for nighttime awakenings in older adults: bladder issues, anxiety, and pain. Addressing these underlying conditions โฃcan often dramatically improve sleep.
3. Unusual Behaviors During Sleep โ(Parasomnias)
Some individuals experience parasomnias – abnormal โbehaviors that โoccur while asleep. These can range from sleepwalking andโ sleep-eating to screaming or violent thrashing. While โฃoccasional parasomnias aren’t necessarily cause for alarm,โข frequent โor disruptive episodes warrant medical attention.
the Bottom Line:
Don’t dismiss persistent sleep problems as simply “something you’ll get over.” Prioritizing sleep is prioritizing your health. If you’re experiencing any ofโ these warning signs, schedule an appointment with yourโข primary โคcare physician or โaโฃ sleep specialist. A good night’s sleep is within โขreach, and addressing โthe root cause of your sleep issues is the first โคstep.
Keywords: Sleepโข Disorders, Insomnia, โRestless Leg Syndrome, Sleepโข Apnea, Sleepโข Hygiene, Parasomnias, Health, Wellness, Doctor, Medical Advice.