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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Taking A Sleep Disorder Test: First Step To Better Sleep

By Veronika Namesse

A sleep disorder is probably a difficult condition to personally assess. It is however important to determine the possibility of having such a disorder to save your health and your life. One sure way to find out is through a sleep disorder test.

Need for Test

We don't know what goes on in our own bodies while we are sleeping. Most people can end up suffering from a sleep disorder without even knowing it. What we therefore need is a good sleep disorder test to help us find out and remedy it.

There are many kinds of sleep disorders but the most common include insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea. All conditions can be life threatening and it is believed that at least 1 out of 3 Americans suffer from a sleep disorder of some sort. At the least, undiagnosed sleep disorders could affect your quality of life, making you less able to interact productively with others and perform even simple tasks. The physical stress and drain of a sleep disorder could also be psychologically damaging, leading to feelings of intense frustration and helplessness. At the worst, a sleep disorder could either be a sign of an underlying medical condition or could lead to more serious medical conditions like stroke and heart ailments.

Sleep Disorder Self Test

You may not be consciously aware of what goes on as you sleep, but you can definitely take a sleep disorder test. All you have to do is to check your own symptoms as a basic sleep disorder test. You should be worried for example if you wake up and don't feel refreshed, if you have trouble sleeping or if you wake up frequently at night or too early.

You may also notice changes in your own personality and performance. Irritability, lack of coordination and lack of concentration are points to note in your own sleep disorder test. Take note too if you frequently meet accidents and if you feel sleepy during the day.

Products for Self-Testing

If you suspect that you are suffering from insomnia, you can just find a sleep disorder test kit that can measure the level of your hormones. Look for the hormone melatonin if you are doing a saliva sleep disorder test. Melatonin is a naturally occurring substance in the body that manages a person's perception of night and day and the cycle of sleep and wakefulness. Some people with insomnia though may have lower levels of melatonin. A sleep disorder test that will check you melatonin levels will help you determine if you need to take added melatonin supplements that are available even without a prescription.

Professional Test

If you are not sure about the signs and symptoms, a professional opinion may be necessary. There are many kinds of tests but the most common professional sleep disorder test involves a sleep study.

In a sleep study, an individual may be asked to stay in a clinic or hospital for a number of hours depending on whether your day or night sleep patterns are being checked. Several wires will them be attached to the patient to monitor brainwaves, heart rate and breathing. Qualified personnel will then score your results for your doctor to interpret. Your doctor will then provide you with the necessary treatment for your condition. A succeeding sleep test may be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the treatment.

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