Around 20% of people worldwide suffer from persistent sleep problems, and sleep expert Dr Daisy Mae has shared three red flag sleep symptoms that could indicate it's time to consult your GP.
Frequent Difficulty Sleeping
While occasional disturbances can result from various short-term factors such as noise, temperature, or anxiety, ongoing battles with insomnia, particularly lasting beyond four weeks, should encourage you to seek assistance, Dr Mae advises.
She states: "If you find that you've been really struggling with getting to sleep or staying asleep for four weeks or more, then this is when it's time to get some additional help from your doctor, who can advise best practices or maybe even refer you elsewhere."
Daytime Fatigue
Adults typically require between seven and nine hours of quality sleep nightly to perform effectively throughout the day. If you're experiencing unusual tiredness during daytime hours, finding it hard to concentrate, or becoming irritable and easily frustrated, it could be a sign that you're not receiving adequate sleep.
Dr Daisy Mae has emphasised how vital a proper night's rest is, stating: "A good night's sleep is vital to help prevent obesity, memory loss, and heart disease, so it's best to get it sorted."
When to See Your GP
When you feel you've exhausted every recommendation from friends and internet advice but still find yourself gazing at the ceiling all night, it can be deeply frustrating. Despite efforts including swapping your bedding, reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption, avoiding screens before bedtime, or even attempting to count sheep, some people discover no relief arrives.
For those who believe they've exhausted all options with their sleep difficulties, Dr Mae advises: "If you feel as though you're at your last resort, and you couldn't possibly do anything else to help your sleep, then head to your doctor."
Before arranging a GP appointment, think about monitoring your sleep habits which encompasses any daytime napping, how many times you wake during the night and when you typically go to bed. When raising sleep problems with your GP, it's beneficial to share daily caffeine consumption, evening eating patterns, and common sources of stress.
Furthermore, whether you've experimented with any herbal treatments or signs of night-time behaviours such as snoring, sleep-talking, or sleep paralysis, can offer vital information. Equipped with these details, medical professionals can more precisely identify and suggest an appropriate treatment for sleeping problems.
Dr Mae underscored the need for articulate communication with health practitioners: "Don't just attend your appointment telling your doctor that you 'struggle sleeping', actually tell them the problem. The more information you give, the more likely you will find a solution to your sleeping problem."
