Everyone has trouble sleeping from time to time, but when does not being able to sleep become a sleep disorder? The answer to this question is difficult because so many factors can affect the amount of sleep a person gets that are not related to specific disorders.
Things like health conditions, stress, and sleep habits are common reasons for a person not getting the rest they need.
The only way to determine if you are indeed suffering from sleep problems is to pay attention to what you are experiencing and rule out possible causes.
Most doctors recommend that anyone who is having trouble sleeping attempts to alleviate the problem by changing their sleeping habits and keeping a sleep diary.
A sleep diary is a daily record of things such as activities, foods and beverages consumed, sleep and wake times, and any odd occurrences or sleep troubles experienced during the night.
When a change in sleep habits and reducing things such as stress does not help, they will want to determine if a medical condition is causing the problem or if it is truly a sleep disorder.
Once they have found the cause of your sleep problems, they will take a closer look at the symptoms to find out what the exact disorder is.
An American Sleep Disorders Association is a non-profit group that provides information and tips make people more aware of the various disorders that can occur and how to detect them.
Their goal is to increase awareness of these conditions and help prevent accidents and injuries that can occur due to them.
They also promote sleep medicine research and make it easier for patients and doctors to communicate about these types of conditions.
These types of organizations are normally run by volunteers and are a public service.
An American Sleep Disorders Association hands out information to the public regarding good sleep habits, disorder symptoms, and treatment options.
They have specific information on what sleep is and what can be done to improve sleep habits.
Each disorder may be described in detail on hand outs or the organizations website.
Some provide a directory of sleep clinics and support groups for people experiencing specific sleep issues.
Questionnaires are often available to help spot certain symptoms and determine if a problem exists.
A simple Internet search can provide an abundance of associations with helpful information.
Doctors may be available for questioning and recommendations.
These types of organizations also work closely with doctors and educate them on the common symptoms to look for and how to better evaluate patients.
Whether you are a doctor wanted to provide better service and care to your patients or someone who is experiencing sleep issues and cannot seem to get good rest, these organizations are here to help you out.
Most are free to the public and can be found online.
Some may require a sign up but do not charge any fees for being a member.
Once you are a member, you have access to all their information including handouts, groups, forums, chat rooms, and whatever else that particular association offers.