Every night, millions of people miss out on countless hours of sleep because of sleep apnea—and even worse, many more cases go undiagnosed! However, sleep apnea can do more than cause you to miss out on rest; it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated! That said, if you believe that you’re suffering from sleep apnea, receiving a diagnosis and seeking treatment should be your top priority; and keeping a sleep diary can assist you with this! Continue reading to learn more about how your dentist thinks this practice might be the first step towards getting a good night’s rest.
What Is a Sleep Diary?
A sleep diary isn’t anything expensive, fancy, or hard to come by—it’s merely a tool that can determine how much sleep you’re getting and what the quality of that sleep is like. With it, you can record your sleeping patterns and habits, which are integral in determining if sleep apnea is the source of your sleep disruption. Your sleep doctor can use this information to determine if a sleep study, followed by sleep apnea treatment, is necessary.
Benefits of Keeping a Sleep Diary
The primary benefit of keeping a sleep diary is having a detailed record of your sleeping habits, in addition to related lifestyle habits. You can include information about the following:
- Your bedtime and how long it usually takes you to fall asleep.
- The overall quality of your rest.
- How often you wake up during the night.
- How many naps you take throughout the day (and how long each one was).
- Your daily diet and caffeine/stimulant intake.
- Any medications that could potentially affect your rest.
- How much time you’ve spent active/exercising throughout the day.
All this information is beneficial to both you and your sleep doctor; these are the little details that can help you get to the bottom of your sleep disruption! Keeping these details logged also ensures that nothing is left out or forgotten; even the little things make a difference when it comes to determining the cause of poor sleep.
Can A Sleep Diary Help to Diagnose Sleep Apnea?
The short answer here is yes, absolutely! In fact, keeping a sleep diary can save your sleep specialist a considerable amount of time and effort as they investigate your sleep disruption. You are providing days, if not weeks, of valuable information—much more than what can be acquired during a single sleep study. The more information and insight that your specialist has about your sleeping patterns, the easier time they’ll have providing you with treatment.
There are many benefits to keeping a sleep diary; especially if you’re seeking treatment for your sleep apnea! Consider keeping track of your sleeping habits so you can get the help you need and get back to bed.
About the Author
Dr. Joseph Salvaggio has over 20 years of experience in dentistry and has served the Brampton community for over 13 of them! Dr. Salvaggio received his dental doctorate from the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry and regularly continues his education at the prestigious Kois Dental Education Centre in Seattle. He is a member of many professional organizations including the Canadian Dental Association and the Ontario Dental Association. If you have any questions about the article or would like to schedule an appointment, you can contact Dr. Salvaggio online or by phone: +1 (289) 569-0721.