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.