Dear Diary, Please Help Me Diagnose My Sleep Troubles

If you snore, wake up frequently throughout the night, or feel exhausted during the day, it’s time to find a solution for low-quality sleep. There is one simple but powerful tool at your disposal to help your doctor diagnose the problem: a sleep diary. Keep reading to learn more about how to keep track of your daily snooze habits – doing it right can help you find the treatment you need to feel great again. 

What Is a Sleep Diary?

A sleep diary is a written record noting the quality of your rest each night, as well as different things that could impact your sleep throughout the day. It helps your dentist or doctor notice patterns more easily than is possible when you describe your sleep habits verbally. 

There are a few ways you can keep a sleep diary, and it’s up to you which one you choose. If you like the old fashioned ease of a pen and paper, keeping a spiral at your bedside is a good way to update a sleep diary. These days, many people prefer to jot notes on their phone. Having a watch that monitors your sleep can also help gather data, but it will not provide qualitative information – like how you feel when you wake up.   

What to Write in a Sleep Diary

Some of the things you should track in a sleep diary include:

• What time you go to bed
• How many times you wake up at night
• How rested you feel in the morning
• Any naps you take during the day (even brief ones)
• How much screen time you get in the final two hours leading up to bedtime
• Daily caffeine/alcohol intake
• Any notable differences in mood throughout the day
• And other information you feel is relevant to sleep

Identifying Sleep Apnea

If your doctor or specially trained dentist recommends you keep a sleep diary, it is usually to help them diagnose sleep apnea. This is a common disorder that causes poor sleep due to disrupted breathing throughout the night. 

A sleep diary will help your doctor rule out any other issues that could be interfering with your nightly rest, like too much caffeine intake or anxiety/depression. If sleep apnea is determined to be the cause, prompt treatment with an oral appliance can help. This device helps to clear the airway, preventing blockages and helping patients get a full night of sleep every night. 

If you are experiencing fatigue or any other side effect of poor sleep, don’t wait to consult your doctor. With a sleep diary and cutting-edge treatments, you can get the prompt treatment you need and deserve. 

Meet the Practice

Better Sleep Eugene, led by Dr. Ivan Paskalev, is helping patients in the Eugene area regain their restful sleep. Dr. Paskalev is an experienced dentist and is currently pursuing the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine’s Mastery Program. If you are struggling due to poor sleep, do not hesitate to get in touch by calling 541-291-5605 today.