In addition, ongoing sleeplessness increases the likelihood of automobile accidents and work-related injury. What’s more, having trouble sleeping may be a symptom of an underlying medical or psychological problem.
The amount of sleep needed varies from person to person, but an average adult needs about eight hours of sleep each night.
“About one out of every three adults does not get the amount of sleep they need,” said Charles Kinsella, M.D., associate medical director of the St. Francis Sleep Disorders Center. “Unfortunately, very few people with sleep difficulties actually talk to their doctors about it. If you get proper help for a sleep disorder, you may be more productive, happier and healthier.”
Sleep studies can help pinpoint the source of your sleep troubles and uncover disorders such as sleep apnea. The primary type of sleep study is called a polysomnogram, which usually requires a stay at a sleep center, accommodating a patient’s sleep schedule. Sensors track brain activity, heart rate, muscle tone, respiratory effort and other key functions while you sleep.
Other types of studies may be done during the day or normal awake hours, and measure how sleepy patients are or how well they can stay awake and alert.
Participants in a sleep study might benefit if they:
- Are often fatigued during the day even though they stay in bed long enough to get a good night’s rest
- Have trouble falling asleep, wake up a lot during the night or are waking too early in the morning
- Have been told they snore loudly, snort, gasp, choke or stop breathing for short periods while they sleep
- Experience tingling, crawling sensations in their legs in the evening or as they try to sleep.
