Is Sleep Eluding You at Night? It May Be Time to See a Specialist

Do you wake up every morning feeling like you need a few more hours of sleep? Are you spending the night tossing and turning, or maybe your snoring is jolting you awake every couple of hours? If you’re struggling to fall and stay asleep, you may be dealing with a sleep disorder. 

Unfortunately, this usually isn’t something you can treat on your own. You probably need to make an appointment with a sleep specialist in Houston. But how do you pick the right specialist, and what questions should you ask when you finally find one that can treat your sleep disorder?

What is a Sleep Specialist?

Before you can find the right type of sleep specialist to help you get a good night’s rest, it helps to know what they do. Sleep specialists are licensed physicians who are trained to diagnose and treat a variety of sleep disorders. Yes, there’s more than one type of sleep disorder.

Sleep specialists typically choose to train in either neurology, internal medicine, pediatrics, or psychiatry during their residency. Once their residency requirements are met, they go on to complete a fellowship in sleep medicine. After meeting all of their residency and fellowship requirements, physicians receive certification from the American Board of Sleep Medicine. This is a department within the American Board of Medical Specialists.

Some ENT (ears, nose, and throat) physicians also treat specific types of sleep disorders. You may be referred to an ENT doctor if your sleep disorder is caused by a structural problem in your nose or throat. Since there are several types of sleep specialists, it can take a few tries before you find the right one to treat your condition.

When Should You Make an Appointment with a Houston Sleep Specialist?

If you’re wondering how to find a sleep specialist, especially when there are different types, a good place to start is with your primary healthcare provider. Your physician can make recommendations that are usually covered by your health insurance. If you don’t have insurance or don’t regularly visit a physician, you can also find recommendations from a list provided by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Another place to check is with the Narcolepsy Network.

Okay, now that you have a pretty good idea of how to find a sleep specialist, when should you make an appointment? After all, there’s no reason to visit a doctor if you’re sleep problems are caused by a neighbor jamming out in the middle of the night. In this instance, you probably don’t need to see a specialist. Instead, it’s time to talk with your neighbor. This can also apply if you work either the second or third shift. Sleeping during the day can upset your body’s natural circadian rhythm, making it hard to fall asleep.

Thankfully, your body will eventually get used to your odd sleep schedule, though it’ll probably take some time. However, if you’re snoring or gasping for air while you’re sleeping, you may be suffering from a disorder. Other signs that it’s time to schedule an appointment with a sleep specialist can include:

• If you have trouble falling asleep at night or are constantly waking up
• You constantly feel tired during the day, even after sleeping between 7 to 9 hours per night. Yes, healthcare professionals recommend adults get at least 7 hours of quality sleep each night.
• You’re having trouble completing routine daily tasks due to exhaustion. An example is having trouble concentrating or having to take frequent breaks due to extreme exhaustion.

These are only a few examples of when it’s probably time to contact a sleep specialist.

Questions You May Want to Ask Your Sleep Specialist

Before you start writing down a list of questions, take a minute to think about your sleep issues. Is your snoring waking you up, or are you having trouble falling and staying asleep for no obvious reason?

Being able to accurately describe your sleep issues will make it easier for the specialist to make the right diagnosis. However, don’t forget that diagnosing a sleep disorder can take time. Chances are, you’ll need to undergo some tests unless the issue is obvious like a deviated septum. This condition will probably result in a visit to an ENT specialist to address the problem.

So, what are some questions you should ask a sleep specialist during your initial visit? An obvious question is to find out if you have a sleep disorder and its cause. You may also want to inquire about the following:

• Should you sign up for a sleep study? Yes, this is when your sleep is monitored, and it can be a little unnerving, but it can also be a vital diagnostic tool.
• Are there any other tests you should go through?
• Are there any risks associated with your sleep disorder? For example, sleep apnea can be potentially life-threatening if the condition isn’t treated.
• What treatments are effective at treating your sleep disorder? Therapy and medication can successfully treat some sleep disorders, and others may require surgery.
• Do you have other options if the first treatment is unsuccessful? Unless surgery is the only option, most sleep specialists will prescribe non-invasive treatments. If these aren’t successful, your doctor may recommend surgery. Most sleep disorder sufferers learn they have multiple treatment options, however, this also depends on the type of condition.
• Another question you shouldn’t forget to ask is if you need to make lifestyle changes. Sometimes, simply making a few changes can resolve your sleep disorder without going through additional treatment. This can include purchasing black-out shades if your job has you sleeping during the day and working at night.
•  Refraining from caffeine and alcohol a few hours before bedtime may be another recommended lifestyle change. Your sleep specialist will go over your nighttime habits to learn if any are affecting your ability to sleep through the night.

Let a Sleep Specialist in Houston Help You Get a Good Night’s Rest

Not being able to sleep at night does more than leave you feeling tired and drained the next day, it can also negatively impact your overall health. If you’re not getting a good night’s rest, it may be time to make an appointment with a Houston sleep specialist.