When to See a Doctor About Insomnia

Everyone deserves a good night's sleep. And if you're having trouble sleeping you may want to talk to your doctor about it sooner than you think. Occasional sleeping problems are called acute insomnia, and often it doesn't require medical attention. This can be caused by late eating, excessive screen time, or simply a busy mind.

If sleeping problems are becoming more regular, you may have chronic insomnia. You should seek medical treatment if you experience these sleeping problems more than once a week for several weeks. If you start the morning tired then coffee or energy drinks are not always the answer. If you feel tired after waking up from a full night of sleep, your doctor can help you determine if it is something like too much caffeine, or a serious sleeping disorder.

Everything seems harder when you're tired. But if you feel a continued need to push through activities like driving or participating in important work meetings due to fatigue, it may be time to see a doctor. You may be putting your physical health or personal relationships at risk.

Ideally, you need four to six consecutive 90 minute cycles of sleep to feel fresh and restored. Without these full cycles of rest you might begin to see signs of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and irritability. Has your sleeping partner showed concern over your recent snoring, sleepwalking, or otherwise abnormal movements during the night? Take their observation seriously and consult what they said with your doctor. Maybe you both will sleep better.

Remember, your condition may not be a disorder. Often lifestyle changes such as reducing blue light exposure, regular exercise, and reducing alcohol and caffeine intake are enough to bring back the sweet dreams.