Coping with Sleep Disorders

As with any medical condition, it can often be difficult coping with a sleep disorder. That's why it's important to commit to getting it diagnosed and treated.

When Sleep is the Problem

In some instances, it might be easy to recognize that the symptoms you experience relate to an inability to sleep well. This may involve feeling excessive daytime sleepiness, finding your sleep disrupted through insomnia, or any number of other problems.

Sometimes the problem may not be as obvious. One may just feel a vague sense of fatigue, have symptoms of depression, experience morning headaches, or have difficulties concentrating. These and other less specific symptoms may lead to the diagnosis of a sleep disorder in some cases. Therefore, if you suspect a sleep problem may be present, further assessment is important.

Seeking Medical Attention

Most people should first be seen by their primary care providers so that basic information can be gathered and initial tests can be done. As some symptoms of sleep disorders are non-specific, it's important to rule out other potential causes of the symptoms.

Your primary care provider will refer you to a sleep specialist if one is in your area. This will allow additional evaluation to help diagnose your sleep disorder.

Getting Diagnosed

Depending on the nature of the suspected problem, various sleep studies may be ordered. The most common is an overnight polysomnogram (PSG) done at a sleep center. It may also be necessary to undergo multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT). Additional potential tests include overnight oximetry, actigraphy, sleep diaries, and other options.

Finding the Right Treatment

The appropriate treatment will be tailored to the diagnosis. These may include medications or alternative treatments. Certainly, one size doesn't fit all and it will be necessary to find an effective treatment that you can tolerate. This may require that you be persistent and willing to keep trying, despite the setbacks.

When Treatment Doesn't Work

Sometimes treatment quite simply does not work. It may fail to relieve the symptoms. Rarely, it may even make symptoms worse. It is not uncommon to have difficulties tolerating treatments. These difficulties do not need to be the end of the matter. It is important to seek other treatment options, to continue to be a strong self-advocate, and to get additional evaluation if need.

Finding Support

For some people, finding others who have similar struggles can be a great resource and source of support. Many sleep specialty clinics offer support groups. In addition, online forums can also be an excellent venue for the exchange of ideas and support.

Long-Term Consequences

With most sleep disorders, there is a risk of serious consequences should the disorder go untreated. These may range from car accidents due to sleep deprivation to hypertension to diabetes to sudden death. Keeping these consequences in mind, it is important to firmly commit yourself to seeking the appropriate recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of sleep disorders.

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