Appropriate sleep is necessary to help the body maximize its ability to fight disease. Sleep is not a waste of time.

If you find it difficult to fall asleep or to stay asleep, there are steps  you can take (and things to avoid) to change the situation. Together these steps are referred to as "good sleep hygiene."

If a sleep problem is suspected, a sleep study is a good way to evaluate what is happening at night. Sleep studies can be done at home or in a hospital setting overnight.

Experts are divided about whether a short nap during the day helps. Consider taking a short nap and see if it helps.

For information about these subjects, see the other sections of this document.

If you continue to have sleep problems,

• Talk with your doctor. 
  • He or she would likely first look for the cause of the problem. It may be from an illness or medication side effects or other medical issue such as pain or anxiet y. Treatment will be based on the specific diagnosis and contributing factors.  Taking a sleeping medication does not have to be addictive or leave you feeling "hung over" the next day. 
  • Threatment should include "sleep hygiene" which is the steps you can take on your own at home to prepare for a good night's rest.
• As an alternative, consider contacting a sleep clinic. To locate a sleep clinic by zip code, see: www.SleepCenters.org

NOTE: People in treatment may need more sleep than the average person. If you are in treatment, speak with your doctor.

Please share how this information is useful to you. 0 Comments