Sleep Disordered Breathing may often present as Excessive Daytime Tiredness (EDT). This may often be attributable to Poor Sleep. In order to manage Poor Sleep in a practical way, often minor lifestyle changes and good Sleep Hygiene may assist in identifying the problem, along with a sleep diary, helpful in any discussion with your GP.
First practical steps to assist in Quality Nighttime Sleep:
- Most adults require 7-9 hours sleep per night. Recording your sleep and avoiding opportunities to “catch up” with lost sleep at a later stage, is recommended.
- Sleep hygiene refers to a set of nightly habits and an environment conducive to Good Sleep.
- This includes preparing for sleep by avoiding screens (including phones).
- Avoiding caffeine at least 8 hours before sleep and also avoiding alcohol, as it also often has a negative impact of sleep.
- Avoiding excessive noisy environments, over stimulation, which includes television, especially news, which may be mentally stimulating, leading to wakefulness and over thinking (ruminating) which disrupts the initiation of natural tiredness, inducing sleep.
Good sleep habits are formed in childhood. With so many life changes experienced throughout adulthood, retaining, reassessing and working towards optimal nighttime routines are recommended. Keeping a Sleep Diary often helps to identify habits which are disruptive to Good Sleep.
Speak with your GP about your Sleep, requesting a referral for additional investigation, diagnosis and optimal management of your Sleep to:
