What to Do if You’re Having Trouble Falling Asleep and When to Get Tested for Sleep Apnea

Do you struggle with getting to sleep, staying asleep, or getting enough sleep on a regular basis? A recent poll indicates that almost half of the people who responded to the survey struggle with insomnia to at least some degree during an average year.

There are basic steps you can take to address sleep issues. Getting tested for sleep apnea may be necessary if other methods don’t work.

Trouble Falling Asleep? Try These Strategies

There’s no one solution to everyone’s sleep problem. The right solution to a sleep issue depends on its cause. However, steps you can take if you’re struggling with sleep include:

• Adjusting the sleeping environment – Various adjustments can make an environment more conducive to rest and relaxation. A cool temperature, calming colors (like blue), and comfortable bedding can all play major roles in your sleep. So can noise. Consider a white noise maker if outside noise disrupts your sleep. In addition, unless you don’t have another option, don’t work in the same environment in which you sleep. You should associate the bedroom with rest.
• Exercising – Exercise and physical fitness contribute to our overall health in many ways. Promoting better sleep is just one example.
• Reducing caffeine consumption – Caffeine consumption is so normalized in the Western world that it’s easy to forget caffeine is a drug. Because it’s a stimulant, consuming too much of it or consuming it too close to the time you go to bed could interfere with your sleep.

When to Get Tested for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea may be the cause of your sleep issues. If you have sleep apnea, your breathing may start and stop suddenly during sleep. Common symptoms of sleep apnea are:

• Snoring
• Dry mouth upon waking
• Headache in the morning
• Tiredness during the day
• Difficult sleeping at night
• Attention difficulties
• Irritability

Some of the signs of sleep apnea might only be apparent to someone sharing a bed with you. For example, you may gasp for air in the middle of the night. Because you’re not entirely conscious during this, you may not be aware of it. Someone with whom you share a bed might have to inform you of these issues.

Consider getting tested for sleep apnea if you’re having sleep difficulties that don’t respond to any of the solutions in the previous section of this guide. If you notice any warning signs of sleep apnea, get tested as soon as possible. Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition that can result in death if left untreated.

Schedule a Sleep Apnea Consultation Today

The proper way to address sleep apnea can vary from one person to another. Sometimes, it may be necessary to address the health issues that contribute to or overlap with sleep apnea.

At Silent Night Therapy, we can determine whether sleep apnea is a problem for you and provide solutions to improve your sleep. Silent Night Therapy has locations in Patchogue and West Babylon, Long Island, to serve you. We can discuss your needs and develop a plan that will help you get the sleep you deserve. Get started today by scheduling your free initial consultation online or by calling 631-983-2463.