Sleep Problems, Age 12 and Older

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

You can help your health professional diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• How long have you been troubled with a sleep problem?
  • What is your major symptom?
  • Does your sleep problem come and go or does it occur every night?
• What is your normal sleep pattern?
• What was happening in your life when the sleep problem started?
• Have you had a sleep problem in the past? If so, how was it treated?
• Do you have any other symptoms that may be related to your sleep problems? Symptoms may include:
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Numbness or weakness.
  • Excessive sweating.
  • Feeling like you are not able to get enough air (air hunger).
  • Restlessness, irritability, or feeling on edge.
  • Feelings of overwhelming anxiety or fear.
• What makes your symptoms better or worse?
• Have you ever taken prescription or non-prescription medicine to help you sleep?
• What other prescription or non-prescription medicines do you take?
• Are you using alcohol or illegal drugs, such as marijuana or cocaine, to help you sleep?
• What home treatment have you tried?
• Does your bed partner report that you snore or are restless in your sleep?
• Do you frequently fall asleep during the day, such as at work or while driving?
• Is your sleep problem interfering with your usual activities?
• Has anyone else in your family ever been diagnosed with any form of depression or sleep disorder?
• Do you have any health risks?

Before visiting your health profession, keep a sleep diary for at least 2 weeks. See an example of a sleep diary(What is a PDF document?).

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA	Last Updated: March 16, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
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