Although there are a variety of conditions that can cause sleep problems, the end result of these conditions is a disruption in the body’s normal sleep-wake cycle.
In my medical training, I was taught to take a complete history from a patient in order to understand what their concerns were. In the case of a sleep disorder, a history is vital to understanding what is causing the patient’s sleep issues.
Conditions that can cause sleep disorders include:
• Aging
• Arthritis
• Dental disorders
• Diabetes
• Ingesting too much alcohol or marijuana
• Heart disease
• Lung disorders such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Taking certain medications such as stimulants
• Pain in the body
• Prescription medication problems
• Psychiatric disorders including depression and anxiety
The reason that taking a thorough patient history is so vital to treating a sleep complaint is that the treatment differs for each of the conditions above. Therefore, to provide the best treatment requires an accurate diagnosis.