Insomnia diagnosis is usually starting on the ongoing medical conditions, sleep history, and physical exam. In addition, sometimes sleep-study may recommend, if the cause of insomnia is unclear.
Insomnia diagnosis test
Insomnia diagnosis is usually based on the; medical history, sleep history, insomnia modalities (conditions that worsen or alleviate insomnia), physical examination, and sleep study.
Medical history of Insomnia test
To find out insomnia cause, doctor may ask about:
- new or ongoing health problems
- painful injuries or health conditions, such as arthritis
- having medicines, either over-the-counter or prescription
- symptoms or a history of depression, anxiety, or psychosis
- have any very stressful life events, such as divorce or death
Doctors may also like to know
- Work and leisure habits
- use of caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol
- Long-distance travel history.
- Whether have other family members have sleep problems.
Sleep history for insomnia diagnosis
To get a better picture of the sleep problem, doctor will ask details about the sleep habits. Before visiting doctor, think about how to describe the problems, including:
- How often have trouble sleeping and how long have had the problem
- When to go bed and get up on workdays and days off
- How long it takes to fall asleep, how often wake up at night, and how long it takes to fall back asleep after night wakes up.
- Whether snore loudly and often or wake up gasping or feeling out of breath
- How refreshed during wake up, and how tired during the day
- How often doze off or have trouble staying awake during routine tasks, especially driving.
What causes or worsens insomnia?
Doctor also may ask:
- Whether worry about falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting enough sleep?
- What you eat or drink and whether you take medicines before going to bed?
- What are the routine habits before going to bed?
- What are the noise level, lighting, and temperature at the bedroom?
- What are distractions, such as a TV or computer in the bedroom?
To help the doctor diagnose insomnia, consider keeping a sleep diary for one or two weeks. Write down time to go to sleep, wake up, and take naps. For example, one went to bed at 10 p.m. woke-up at 3 a.m. and not able to fallback asleep, and napped after work for two hours in the daytime.
Furthermore, write down how much sleep each night, as well as how sleepy at various times during the day.
Physical exam for insomnia test
Doctors will do a physical exam to rule out other medical problems that might cause insomnia. Doctor may also advice to take blood tests to rule out thyroid problems or other conditions that can cause sleeping insomnia problems.
Insomnia sleep study
Sometimes doctor may recommend a sleep study called a polysomnogram (PSG) if he or she thinks an underlying sleep disorder might be causing insomnia.
PSG is commonly done while stay overnight at a sleep center. A PSG records brain electrical activity, eye movements, heart rate, breathing, muscle activity, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels.