When to See a GP About Sleep
Most bad nights sort themselves out. Some patterns, though, are worth a conversation with a doctor, because effective help exists and some sleep problems carry real health and safety risks. Here are the signs Australian health bodies highlight.
Trouble sleeping that keeps going
Healthdirect's general advice is simple: if you are having trouble sleeping, it is reasonable to see your doctor. That is particularly true when the problem becomes a pattern. Chronic insomnia is described as difficulty falling or staying asleep on at least 3 nights per week for at least 3 months, with knock-on effects during the day.
You do not need to wait three months to ask for help, though. Healthdirect suggests seeing a doctor sooner if poor sleep comes with mood problems, feeling restless in bed, or regularly waking without feeling refreshed. Early conversations can stop a short-term problem becoming entrenched.
Loud snoring, gasping or pauses in breathing
Snoring on its own is common, but loud snoring combined with pauses in breathing that a partner notices, or waking with gasping or choking, can be signs of obstructive sleep apnoea. The Sleep Health Foundation explains that the airway can repeatedly narrow or close during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times in a night.
Symptoms are not the same for everyone. The Sleep Health Foundation notes that women with sleep apnoea may report difficulty falling or staying asleep, low mood and fatigue rather than loud snoring. About 40% of people with obstructive sleep apnoea also have insomnia symptoms, so the two problems can overlap and be easy to confuse.
Why sleep apnoea is worth checking
Untreated moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea is linked with high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, depression and accidents, according to the Sleep Health Foundation. It can also affect concentration, mood and work performance, and disturb a bed partner's sleep as well.
The good news is that it can be diagnosed and managed. A GP can arrange referral for an overnight sleep study, which the Sleep Health Foundation describes as the most reliable test. Management options range from lifestyle changes for milder cases to devices such as CPAP or dental splints, decided with your health professionals.
Daytime sleepiness and driving
Feeling sleepy behind the wheel is a safety issue, not just an inconvenience. The Sleep Health Foundation reports that being awake for 17 hours can impair driving to a degree similar to a 0.05% blood alcohol concentration, and that drowsiness is involved in around 20 to 30 percent of fatal crashes.
People with obstructive sleep apnoea are about two and a half times more likely to have a motor vehicle accident than those without it. Warning signs include heavy eyelids, drifting between lanes and not remembering the last few kilometres. If drowsy driving keeps happening, the Sleep Health Foundation advises seeing a doctor to find the cause.
Medicines, supplements and self-treatment
It is tempting to manage poor sleep alone with over-the-counter products, but that can delay finding the real cause. Healthdirect notes that prescription sleeping medicines are less effective than cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, are not a cure, and can carry risks such as dependence with long-term use.
Alcohol and sleeping tablets can also make obstructive sleep apnoea worse, according to the Sleep Health Foundation. If you are already taking anything for sleep, including supplements, mention it to your GP or pharmacist so they can check it is appropriate alongside your other medicines and health conditions.
Getting the most from your appointment
A little preparation helps. For a week or two beforehand, jot down roughly when you go to bed, when you wake, how often you wake during the night, and how alert you feel during the day. If you share a bed, ask your partner whether they have noticed snoring, pauses in breathing or restless legs.
Bring a list of medicines and supplements, and note anything that may be affecting sleep, such as shift work, stress or pain. Your GP may suggest changes to habits, a referral for cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, or a sleep study, depending on what is going on.
This guide is general information drawn from the sources below. It does not suggest that any product treats a sleep condition. If you are worried about your sleep, see your GP.