Insomnia tests should be performed when examined

Insomnia not only affects your quality of life but can also be a sign of more serious health problems. To find the specific cause, insomnia diagnostic tests are an important first step that patients need to take when going to the doctor. Insomnia tests not only help determine the cause but also assist doctors in developing the most appropriate treatment regimen for each individual.

1. What insomnia tests should be performed when seeing a doctor for insomnia?

When going to the doctor because severe insomnia, doctors often prescribe a number of tests to find out the cause of this condition and recommend appropriate treatment. Here are some common tests:

• Clinical examination and medical history: The doctor will ask about your health history and related symptoms to identify underlying factors such as stress, anxiety disorders, or other health problems. other diseases such as heart, lung or endocrine diseases.
• Sleep diary: The patient will be asked to record their sleep habits over a period of time, including the time they go to bed, wake up, the number of times they wake up during the night, and how they feel about their sleep. This diary helps doctors have a detailed view of daily sleep status.
• Polysomnography: This is an important test in diagnosing sleep disorders. The patient will spend the night in a sleep study room in the hospital or clinic. The machine will monitor indicators such as heart rate, respiration, eye movements, blood oxygen levels, and brain activity during sleep to detect disorders such as sleep apnea, limb movement disorders, or REM sleep-related problems.
• Home sleep apnea test: If sleep apnea is suspected, your doctor may recommend a home sleep apnea test. This test monitors heart rate, oxygen levels, and respiration during sleep in the patient’s home.
• Blood tests: Certain diseases such as thyroid dysfunction, anemia or hormone problems can cause insomnia. Blood tests will help detect these abnormalities.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT): In some special cases when brain or nerve damage is suspected, your doctor may order an MRI or CT scan for a thorough examination. .

When Insomnia doing tests The above will provide comprehensive information to help doctors determine the cause of insomnia and propose effective treatment plans.

2. When do you need to see a doctor for insomnia? 

Insomnia can affect everyone, regardless of age, gender or job. When this condition lasts, it often causes the patient to fall into a state of drowsiness, fatigue and reduced ability to concentrate. To quickly fix this problem, many people go to reputable hospitals to get advice from doctors insomnia examination.So when do you need to see a doctor if you have insomnia? 

2.1 Prolonged insomnia

If difficulty sleeping or insomnia persists for more than 3 weeks, it may be a sign of a chronic sleep disorder or other serious health problem. At this time, you should see a doctor for timely diagnosis and treatment.

2.2 Insomnia affects daily life

When insomnia makes you feel tired, reduces your mental ability and ability to work or study, or has difficulty maintaining daily activities, you should see a doctor.

2.3 Waking up frequently in the middle of the night

If you frequently wake up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep, or wake up multiple times for no apparent reason, this could be a sign of a sleep disorder or another medical condition such as sleep apnea.

2.4 Difficulty sleeping with other symptoms

If insomnia is accompanied by other symptoms such as headaches, difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, feelings of nervousness, or prolonged anxiety or stress, examination is necessary to rule out underlying diseases.

2.5 Prolonged use of sleeping pills

If you have to rely on sleeping pills for long periods of time to sleep, this can lead to drug dependence and other health problems. Your doctor can help you find other treatments that don’t require medication.

2.6 Sleeping too much but still tired

If you get enough or too much sleep but still feel tired, exhausted, and unable to stay awake throughout the day, this could be a sign of a sleep disorder or other medical conditions such as anemia or glandular dysfunction. armor.

All of the above conditions can seriously affect overall health if not treated promptly. Therefore, if you experience any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor to find the cause and get appropriate solutions.

3. Points to note when doing the insomnia test

When performing these insomnia test, patients need to note a few important things to ensure accurate results and a smooth examination process. First, preparing yourself mentally is very necessary. Stress or anxiety before a test, especially during sleep studies, can affect the results. Patients should try to stay relaxed and follow the doctor’s instructions to achieve the best results. In addition, before the test, patients need to stop using stimulants such as coffee, alcohol or tobacco for at least 24 hours, because these substances can change sleep patterns and lead to negative results. not correct. Besides, it is extremely important to strictly follow your doctor’s instructions. These instructions may include how much sleep to expect, activities to avoid before the test, and how to use monitoring devices at home if necessary.

Patients also need to keep a complete and accurate sleep diary if requested, including information about bedtime, wake time and sleep quality during the specified time period. At the same time, you need to inform your doctor about your current health condition, including diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders or whether you are taking medication, so that the doctor can know. can adjust methods and make appropriate recommendations. Choosing a testing location is also a factor to consider. Some tests like sleep studies require being done in a hospital or sleep clinic, while some tests like portable polysomnography can be done at home, depending on conditions. and patient needs.

After insomnia test, The most important thing is to monitor the results and follow the treatment regimen prescribed by your doctor. This may include changing lifestyle habits, using medication, or using other treatments to improve sleep. Paying close attention to these points not only helps the testing process go smoothly but also ensures accurate results, thereby helping doctors determine the cause of insomnia and recommend the most effective treatment method. for sick people.

In summary, performing diagnostic tests for insomnia is an important step in determining the specific cause and providing appropriate treatment. These tests not only help detect sleep-related disorders but also assist doctors in finding underlying medical conditions that may be causing insomnia. By early examination and complete testing, patients can improve sleep quality, restore health, and enhance quality of life. Therefore, when insomnia persists or affects daily activities, it is extremely important to see a doctor and have the necessary tests performed to ensure overall health.

Reference source: mountelizabeth.com.sg