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| Meta Title | When to See a Sleep Doctor (Somnologist): 7 Reasons |
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| Boilerpipe Text | Getting
sufficient sleep
every night is vital for daily functioning and overall health. However, approximately 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep issues.Â
Research has dispelled the myth that you can get by with little sleep, with a wealth of studies linking quality sleep to an array of mental and physical health benefits.
A board-certified sleep disorder specialist, called a somnologist, can help identify the cause of
chronic sleep problems
. They’ll also develop a treatment plan, which may include behavioral therapies, medications, mechanical devices, and lifestyle changes.
Here are seven reasons why you may want to see a sleep specialist.Â
1. You Have Trouble Falling Asleep or Staying Asleep at Night
If you have difficulty falling asleep, have difficulty falling back asleep if you wake up too early, or wake up in the middle of the night at least three nights per week for more than three months, you might be dealing with
chronic insomnia
, according to
Brandon Peters, MD
, a board-certified sleep and neurology specialist at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle.
A somnologist can help you explore lifestyle changes like improving your
sleep hygiene
, then other treatments, including
cognitive behavioral therapy
for insomnia and prescription medication.
While there are over-the-counter medications for sleeplessness, such asÂ
melatonin
, Dr. Peters cautions
against using them long-term
. “Over-the-counter sleep aids may mask the problem without addressing the underlying cause,” he says.
2. You SnoreÂ
Snoring
can occur when your airflow is disrupted because of nasal congestion, excessive body weight, pregnancy, or sleeping on your back.
 It’s a common issue, affecting approximately 45 percent of adults occasionally and 25 percent regularly, according to a review from Italy.
Snoring can indicate an underlying problem, says
Yi Cai, MD
, an assistant professor and the director of sleep surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. “Loud or irregular snoring, especially with pauses in breathing, may indicate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA),” she says. “Waking up gasping or choking and feeling unrefreshed no matter how long you sleep are also warning signs.”
With
OSA
, your breathing can pause repeatedly during sleep due to a blockage in the upper airway, which often results in not feeling refreshed when you wake up. It is estimated to affect 1 billion people, says Dr. Cai, but the majority remain undiagnosed.
Untreated OSA
increases the risk of
heart disease
,
heart failure
, and heart rhythm issues likeÂ
atrial fibrillation
, and can cause
high blood pressure
to become resistant to treatment, she adds.
A somnologist can assess your symptoms and risk factors for OSA and may refer you for a sleep study.
Treatments
may involve positive airway pressure devices, oral devices (such as a mouth guard or splint), or surgery.
3. You Wake Up Too Early and Don’t Get Enough Sleep
Experts recommend that adults get
seven to nine hours of sleep
a night.
 If you fall asleep at an appropriate time each night to get this much sleep but consistently wake up too early, this can be a cause of sleep deprivation.Â
You might wake up too early for these reasons:Â
Hormonal changes
Aging
Breathing difficulties
Pain
Anxiety
Fluctuations in blood sugar
Alzheimer’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Another potential cause is a
circadian rhythm disorder
, in which your body’s clock becomes misaligned with day and night, affecting your sleep timing.
Â
Disruptions to your circadian rhythm
are commonly seen in people experiencing jet lag or nighttime shift workers.
4. You’re Always Tired During the DayÂ
When
excessive daytime sleepiness
leads to dozing off at work or school, difficulty concentrating on tasks, feeling unrefreshed after waking, needing daytime naps but not feeling refreshed afterward, or impaired decision-making, a somnologist can help uncover the source of your fatigue.
“Evaluation is warranted when fatigue is long-lasting, unexplained, or associated with other symptoms, such as muscle weakness or paralysis triggered by strong emotions (
cataplexy
), OSA, or unusual nighttime behaviors like sleep walking, talking, eating, and acting out dreams,” says Cai.
Medication side effects
and other conditions contributing to fatigue, includingÂ
anemia
,
cancer
,
fibromyalgia
,
diabetes
, and heart disease, should also be ruled out, adds Peters.
5. You Fall Asleep While Eating, Talking, or Driving, or at Other Inappropriate TimesÂ
If you find yourself falling asleep in the middle of tasks or experience sudden muscle weakness (such as drooping eyelids, slurred speech, or knees buckling), a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up (
sleep paralysis
), or vivid hallucinations while falling asleep or waking up, you might have
narcolepsy
, according to Cai.
It’s challenging to diagnose because its hallmark symptom — fatigue — is common to many other conditions. In fact, it can take eight years or more from symptom onset for a patient to receive a diagnosis.
6. You Move in Your SleepÂ
Certain involuntary movements — including jerks, twitches, spasms, and acting out dreams — can be symptoms of these sleep conditions:
Periodic limb movements of sleep
REM sleep behavior disorder
Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder
Peters notes that narcolepsy may cause involuntary movements, too.
 Neurological conditions likeÂ
multiple sclerosis
and
Huntington’s disease
can also cause sleep movements.
Some people feel like they have to move to relax and sleep, a common occurrence with
restless legs syndrome
. Symptoms include unpleasant sensations in the legs (such as pulling, itching, throbbing, or crawling) that are only eased by movement.
7. You Have a Chronic Health Condition and Have Sleep IssuesÂ
Many chronic medical conditions can lead to sleep issues.
Chronic pain conditions
 likeÂ
neuropathic pain
,
chronic back pain
, fibromyalgia, and
arthritis
 can also fragment sleep, says Cai, which then worsens pain sensitivity.
Insufficient sleep also elevates the risk for heart disease, diabetes,
obesity
, kidney disease, high blood pressure,
stroke
, and
depression
.
 A somnologist can provide recommendations that align with the treatment of your chronic conditions or your health risks to improve your sleep and overall well-being.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment With a Sleep Doctor
During your first appointment with a sleep doctor, they will ask about your medical history, perform a physical exam (focusing on your throat, airway, and breathing), and ask about your sleep habits. They may recommend further testing, such as a
sleep study
, and suggest behavioral therapies, lifestyle changes, medications, mechanical devices, or surgery to address your symptoms and improve your sleep quality.
Peters recommends keeping a sleep log for two to four weeks and sharing the info with your sleep doctor. In the log, track the time you went to bed, the time you woke up, how long it took to fall asleep, and how many times you woke up during the night. “A careful history helps us determine whether this is a lifelong genetic tendency or if specific factors are exacerbating the disruption,” says Peters.
The Takeaway
A somnologist is a sleep doctor who can thoroughly evaluate sleep disorders and provide treatment recommendations — such as medications, behavioral therapies, mechanical devices, or surgery — to address your sleep issues and enhance your overall quality of life.
Consider seeing a somnologist if you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, have excessive fatigue, snore, move in your sleep, can’t relax at night without moving, or have difficulty concentrating.
Insufficient sleep leads to mental and physical issues, and can increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and mood disorders, and can worsen chronic pain. |
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# When to See a Sleep Doctor (Somnologist): 7 Reasons
Boris Jovanovic/iStock
By
Rebecca Kaplan
Updated on February 7, 2026
Medically Reviewed
by
[Abhinav Singh, MD](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/abhinav-singh/)
Getting [sufficient sleep](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/101/how-much-sleep-do-you-need.aspx) every night is vital for daily functioning and overall health. However, approximately 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep issues.
Research has dispelled the myth that you can get by with little sleep, with a wealth of studies linking quality sleep to an array of mental and physical health benefits.
\[1\]
A board-certified sleep disorder specialist, called a somnologist, can help identify the cause of [chronic sleep problems](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/scary-sleep-disorders.aspx). They’ll also develop a treatment plan, which may include behavioral therapies, medications, mechanical devices, and lifestyle changes.
\[2\]
Here are seven reasons why you may want to see a sleep specialist.
## 1\. You Have Trouble Falling Asleep or Staying Asleep at Night
If you have difficulty falling asleep, have difficulty falling back asleep if you wake up too early, or wake up in the middle of the night at least three nights per week for more than three months, you might be dealing with [chronic insomnia](https://www.everydayhealth.com/insomnia/guide/), according to [Brandon Peters, MD](https://www.vmfh.org/find-a-doctor/brandon-r-peters-mathews-1295907566), a board-certified sleep and neurology specialist at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle.
\[3\]
A somnologist can help you explore lifestyle changes like improving your [sleep hygiene](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/does-the-10-3-2-1-0-sleep-rule-really-work/), then other treatments, including [cognitive behavioral therapy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/) for insomnia and prescription medication.
\[4\]
While there are over-the-counter medications for sleeplessness, such as [melatonin](https://www.everydayhealth.com/melatonin/guide/), Dr. Peters cautions [against using them long-term](https://www.everydayhealth.com/hormones-metabolic-disorders/should-you-take-melatonin-every-night/). “Over-the-counter sleep aids may mask the problem without addressing the underlying cause,” he says.
## 2\. You Snore
[Snoring](https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/eleven-health-risks-snoring/) can occur when your airflow is disrupted because of nasal congestion, excessive body weight, pregnancy, or sleeping on your back.
\[5\]
It’s a common issue, affecting approximately 45 percent of adults occasionally and 25 percent regularly, according to a review from Italy.
\[6\]
Snoring can indicate an underlying problem, says [Yi Cai, MD](https://doctors.nyp.org/yi-cai-md/columbiadoctors-midtown), an assistant professor and the director of sleep surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. “Loud or irregular snoring, especially with pauses in breathing, may indicate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA),” she says. “Waking up gasping or choking and feeling unrefreshed no matter how long you sleep are also warning signs.”
\[7\]
With [OSA](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-apnea/guide/), your breathing can pause repeatedly during sleep due to a blockage in the upper airway, which often results in not feeling refreshed when you wake up. It is estimated to affect 1 billion people, says Dr. Cai, but the majority remain undiagnosed. [Untreated OSA](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/how-sleep-apnea-harms-health/) increases the risk of [heart disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-disease/guide/), [heart failure](https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-failure/living-with/sleep-problems-related-heart-failure-ways-manage-them/), and heart rhythm issues like [atrial fibrillation](https://www.everydayhealth.com/atrial-fibrillation/guide/), and can cause [high blood pressure](https://www.everydayhealth.com/high-blood-pressure/guide/) to become resistant to treatment, she adds.
\[7\]
A somnologist can assess your symptoms and risk factors for OSA and may refer you for a sleep study. [Treatments](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-apnea/treatment/cpap-machines-other-sleep-apnea-treatments-which-right-you/) may involve positive airway pressure devices, oral devices (such as a mouth guard or splint), or surgery.
\[8\]
## 3\. You Wake Up Too Early and Don’t Get Enough Sleep
Experts recommend that adults get [seven to nine hours of sleep](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-disorders/sleep/sleep-101-ultimate-guide-on-how-get-better-nights-sleep/) a night.
\[9\]
If you fall asleep at an appropriate time each night to get this much sleep but consistently wake up too early, this can be a cause of sleep deprivation.
You might wake up too early for these reasons:
- Hormonal changes
\[10\]
- Aging
\[10\]
- Breathing difficulties
\[10\]
- Pain
\[10\]
- [Anxiety](https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety/guide/)
\[10\]
- Fluctuations in blood sugar
\[11\]
- [Alzheimer’s disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/alzheimers-disease/guide/)
\[12\]
- [Parkinson’s disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/parkinsons-disease/guide/)
\[13\]
Another potential cause is a [circadian rhythm disorder](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-disorders/circadian-rhythm-disorders/guide/), in which your body’s clock becomes misaligned with day and night, affecting your sleep timing.
\[14\]
[Disruptions to your circadian rhythm](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-disorders/what-are-the-different-types-of-circadian-rhythm-disorders/) are commonly seen in people experiencing jet lag or nighttime shift workers.
\[15\]
## 4\. You’re Always Tired During the Day
When [excessive daytime sleepiness](https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/how-to-stay-awake-most-boring-meeting/) leads to dozing off at work or school, difficulty concentrating on tasks, feeling unrefreshed after waking, needing daytime naps but not feeling refreshed afterward, or impaired decision-making, a somnologist can help uncover the source of your fatigue.
\[16\]
“Evaluation is warranted when fatigue is long-lasting, unexplained, or associated with other symptoms, such as muscle weakness or paralysis triggered by strong emotions ([cataplexy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/cataplexy/guide/)), OSA, or unusual nighttime behaviors like sleep walking, talking, eating, and acting out dreams,” says Cai.
[Medication side effects](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/medications-that-affect-sleep.aspx) and other conditions contributing to fatigue, including [anemia](https://www.everydayhealth.com/anemia/guide/), [cancer](https://www.everydayhealth.com/cancer/guide/), [fibromyalgia](https://www.everydayhealth.com/fibromyalgia/guide/), [diabetes](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/guide/), and heart disease, should also be ruled out, adds Peters.
\[17\]
## 5\. You Fall Asleep While Eating, Talking, or Driving, or at Other Inappropriate Times
If you find yourself falling asleep in the middle of tasks or experience sudden muscle weakness (such as drooping eyelids, slurred speech, or knees buckling), a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up ([sleep paralysis](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-paralysis/guide/)), or vivid hallucinations while falling asleep or waking up, you might have [narcolepsy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/narcolepsy/guide/), according to Cai.
\[18\]
It’s challenging to diagnose because its hallmark symptom — fatigue — is common to many other conditions. In fact, it can take eight years or more from symptom onset for a patient to receive a diagnosis.
\[19\]
## 6\. You Move in Your Sleep
Certain involuntary movements — including jerks, twitches, spasms, and acting out dreams — can be symptoms of these sleep conditions:
- Periodic limb movements of sleep
\[20\]
- [REM sleep behavior disorder](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/other-disorders/rem-behavior-disorder.aspx)
\[21\]
- Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder
\[22\]
Peters notes that narcolepsy may cause involuntary movements, too.
\[23\]
Neurological conditions like [multiple sclerosis](https://www.everydayhealth.com/multiple-sclerosis/) and [Huntington’s disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/genetic-diseases/huntingtons-disease/) can also cause sleep movements.
\[24\]
Some people feel like they have to move to relax and sleep, a common occurrence with [restless legs syndrome](https://www.everydayhealth.com/restless-legs-syndrome/guide/). Symptoms include unpleasant sensations in the legs (such as pulling, itching, throbbing, or crawling) that are only eased by movement.
\[25\]
## 7\. You Have a Chronic Health Condition and Have Sleep Issues
Many chronic medical conditions can lead to sleep issues. [Chronic pain conditions](https://www.everydayhealth.com/chronic-pain/its-time-to-reframe-chronic-pain/) like [neuropathic pain](https://www.everydayhealth.com/neuropathy/guide/nerve-pain/), [chronic back pain](https://www.everydayhealth.com/back-pain/guide/), fibromyalgia, and [arthritis](https://www.everydayhealth.com/arthritis/pain-and-stiffness.aspx) can also fragment sleep, says Cai, which then worsens pain sensitivity.
\[26\]
Insufficient sleep also elevates the risk for heart disease, diabetes, [obesity](https://www.everydayhealth.com/obesity/guide/), kidney disease, high blood pressure, [stroke](https://www.everydayhealth.com/stroke/guide/), and [depression](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/).
\[1\]
A somnologist can provide recommendations that align with the treatment of your chronic conditions or your health risks to improve your sleep and overall well-being.
## What to Expect at Your First Appointment With a Sleep Doctor
During your first appointment with a sleep doctor, they will ask about your medical history, perform a physical exam (focusing on your throat, airway, and breathing), and ask about your sleep habits. They may recommend further testing, such as a [sleep study](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-apnea/how-doctors-diagnose-sleep-apnea-plus-sleep-study/), and suggest behavioral therapies, lifestyle changes, medications, mechanical devices, or surgery to address your symptoms and improve your sleep quality.
Peters recommends keeping a sleep log for two to four weeks and sharing the info with your sleep doctor. In the log, track the time you went to bed, the time you woke up, how long it took to fall asleep, and how many times you woke up during the night. “A careful history helps us determine whether this is a lifelong genetic tendency or if specific factors are exacerbating the disruption,” says Peters.
## The Takeaway
- A somnologist is a sleep doctor who can thoroughly evaluate sleep disorders and provide treatment recommendations — such as medications, behavioral therapies, mechanical devices, or surgery — to address your sleep issues and enhance your overall quality of life.
- Consider seeing a somnologist if you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, have excessive fatigue, snore, move in your sleep, can’t relax at night without moving, or have difficulty concentrating.
- Insufficient sleep leads to mental and physical issues, and can increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and mood disorders, and can worsen chronic pain.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our [editorial policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/editorial-policies/). We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Sources
Resources
1. What Are Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency? [National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-deprivation). March 24, 2022.
2. Sleep Specialist (Somnologist). [Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/sleep-specialist-somnologist). July 24, 2024.
3. Insomnia. [Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12119-insomnia). January 6, 2026.
4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI). [Stanford Medicine](https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/c/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-insomnia.html).
5. Snoring - Adults. [MedlinePlus](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000720.htm). July 3, 2025.
6. Moffa A et al. The Potential Effect of Changing Patient Position on Snoring: A Systematic Review. [*Journal of Personalized Medicine*](https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/14/7/715). July 2, 2024.
7. Obstructive Sleep Apnea. [Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24443-obstructive-sleep-apnea-osa). December 4, 2024.
8. Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapies. [Stanford Medicine](https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/p/positive-airway-pressure-therapies.html).
9. How Much Sleep Is Enough? [National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep/how-much-sleep). March 24, 2022.
10. 5 Reasons You Wake Up Earlier As You Age — and How to Get Better Sleep. [UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/5-reasons-you-wake-up-earlier-you-age-and-how-get-better). July 17, 2025.
11. Dawn Phenomenon. [Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24553-dawn-phenomenon). December 20, 2022.
12. Alzheimer’s: Managing Sleep Problems. [Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20047832). October 30, 2024.
13. Sleep Problems in Parkinson’s. [Parkinson’s Foundation](https://www.parkinson.org/library/fact-sheets/sleep).
14. Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders. [Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12115-circadian-rhythm-disorders). January 23, 2024.
15. Hulsegge G et al. Adapting Shift Work Schedules for Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration, and Sleepiness in Shift Workers. [*Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews*](https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010639.pub2/full). September 11, 2023.
16. Gandhi KD et al. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness. [*Mayo Clinic Proceedings*](https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196\(20\)30984-8/fulltext). May 2021.
17. Fatigue. [Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/fatigue/basics/causes/sym-20050894). February 11, 2023.
18. Narcolepsy. [Johns Hopkins Medicine](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/narcolepsy).
19. Hastings NE et al. Narcolepsy: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management, and Future Directions, a Narrative Review. [*Brain and Behavior*](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/brb3.71116). December 7, 2025.
20. Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep (PLMS). [Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14177-periodic-limb-movements-of-sleep-plms). June 8, 2023.
21. Pham CK et al. Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder. [StatPearls](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555928/). February 12, 2024.
22. Manni R. Sleep-Related Rhythmic Movement Disorder. [*MedLink Neurology*](https://www.medlink.com/articles/sleep-related-rhythmic-movement-disorder). February 23, 2025.
23. Xu W et al. Clinical Features and Mechanisms of Neck Myoclonus in Narcolepsy. [*Sleep Medicine*](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945724003952). November 2024.
24. Myoclonus. [National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/myoclonus). April 7, 2025.
25. Restless Legs Syndrome. [National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome). April 7, 2025.
26. Seiger AN et al. Chronic Pain Management And Sleep Disorders. [*Cell Reports Medicine*](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666379124004919?via%3Dihub). October 15, 2024.
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Dr. Singh’s research and clinical practice focus on sleep disorders, including excessive daytime sleepiness, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, insomnia, and sleep education.
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| Readable Markdown | Getting [sufficient sleep](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/101/how-much-sleep-do-you-need.aspx) every night is vital for daily functioning and overall health. However, approximately 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep issues.
Research has dispelled the myth that you can get by with little sleep, with a wealth of studies linking quality sleep to an array of mental and physical health benefits.
A board-certified sleep disorder specialist, called a somnologist, can help identify the cause of [chronic sleep problems](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/scary-sleep-disorders.aspx). They’ll also develop a treatment plan, which may include behavioral therapies, medications, mechanical devices, and lifestyle changes.
Here are seven reasons why you may want to see a sleep specialist.
## 1\. You Have Trouble Falling Asleep or Staying Asleep at Night
If you have difficulty falling asleep, have difficulty falling back asleep if you wake up too early, or wake up in the middle of the night at least three nights per week for more than three months, you might be dealing with [chronic insomnia](https://www.everydayhealth.com/insomnia/guide/), according to [Brandon Peters, MD](https://www.vmfh.org/find-a-doctor/brandon-r-peters-mathews-1295907566), a board-certified sleep and neurology specialist at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle.
A somnologist can help you explore lifestyle changes like improving your [sleep hygiene](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/does-the-10-3-2-1-0-sleep-rule-really-work/), then other treatments, including [cognitive behavioral therapy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/) for insomnia and prescription medication.
While there are over-the-counter medications for sleeplessness, such as [melatonin](https://www.everydayhealth.com/melatonin/guide/), Dr. Peters cautions [against using them long-term](https://www.everydayhealth.com/hormones-metabolic-disorders/should-you-take-melatonin-every-night/). “Over-the-counter sleep aids may mask the problem without addressing the underlying cause,” he says.
## 2\. You Snore
[Snoring](https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/eleven-health-risks-snoring/) can occur when your airflow is disrupted because of nasal congestion, excessive body weight, pregnancy, or sleeping on your back. It’s a common issue, affecting approximately 45 percent of adults occasionally and 25 percent regularly, according to a review from Italy.
Snoring can indicate an underlying problem, says [Yi Cai, MD](https://doctors.nyp.org/yi-cai-md/columbiadoctors-midtown), an assistant professor and the director of sleep surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. “Loud or irregular snoring, especially with pauses in breathing, may indicate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA),” she says. “Waking up gasping or choking and feeling unrefreshed no matter how long you sleep are also warning signs.”
With [OSA](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-apnea/guide/), your breathing can pause repeatedly during sleep due to a blockage in the upper airway, which often results in not feeling refreshed when you wake up. It is estimated to affect 1 billion people, says Dr. Cai, but the majority remain undiagnosed. [Untreated OSA](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/how-sleep-apnea-harms-health/) increases the risk of [heart disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-disease/guide/), [heart failure](https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-failure/living-with/sleep-problems-related-heart-failure-ways-manage-them/), and heart rhythm issues like [atrial fibrillation](https://www.everydayhealth.com/atrial-fibrillation/guide/), and can cause [high blood pressure](https://www.everydayhealth.com/high-blood-pressure/guide/) to become resistant to treatment, she adds.
A somnologist can assess your symptoms and risk factors for OSA and may refer you for a sleep study. [Treatments](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-apnea/treatment/cpap-machines-other-sleep-apnea-treatments-which-right-you/) may involve positive airway pressure devices, oral devices (such as a mouth guard or splint), or surgery.
## 3\. You Wake Up Too Early and Don’t Get Enough Sleep
Experts recommend that adults get [seven to nine hours of sleep](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-disorders/sleep/sleep-101-ultimate-guide-on-how-get-better-nights-sleep/) a night. If you fall asleep at an appropriate time each night to get this much sleep but consistently wake up too early, this can be a cause of sleep deprivation.
You might wake up too early for these reasons:
- Hormonal changes
- Aging
- Breathing difficulties
- Pain
- [Anxiety](https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety/guide/)
- Fluctuations in blood sugar
- [Alzheimer’s disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/alzheimers-disease/guide/)
- [Parkinson’s disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/parkinsons-disease/guide/)
Another potential cause is a [circadian rhythm disorder](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-disorders/circadian-rhythm-disorders/guide/), in which your body’s clock becomes misaligned with day and night, affecting your sleep timing. [Disruptions to your circadian rhythm](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-disorders/what-are-the-different-types-of-circadian-rhythm-disorders/) are commonly seen in people experiencing jet lag or nighttime shift workers.
## 4\. You’re Always Tired During the Day
When [excessive daytime sleepiness](https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/how-to-stay-awake-most-boring-meeting/) leads to dozing off at work or school, difficulty concentrating on tasks, feeling unrefreshed after waking, needing daytime naps but not feeling refreshed afterward, or impaired decision-making, a somnologist can help uncover the source of your fatigue.
“Evaluation is warranted when fatigue is long-lasting, unexplained, or associated with other symptoms, such as muscle weakness or paralysis triggered by strong emotions ([cataplexy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/cataplexy/guide/)), OSA, or unusual nighttime behaviors like sleep walking, talking, eating, and acting out dreams,” says Cai.
[Medication side effects](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/medications-that-affect-sleep.aspx) and other conditions contributing to fatigue, including [anemia](https://www.everydayhealth.com/anemia/guide/), [cancer](https://www.everydayhealth.com/cancer/guide/), [fibromyalgia](https://www.everydayhealth.com/fibromyalgia/guide/), [diabetes](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/guide/), and heart disease, should also be ruled out, adds Peters.
## 5\. You Fall Asleep While Eating, Talking, or Driving, or at Other Inappropriate Times
If you find yourself falling asleep in the middle of tasks or experience sudden muscle weakness (such as drooping eyelids, slurred speech, or knees buckling), a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up ([sleep paralysis](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-paralysis/guide/)), or vivid hallucinations while falling asleep or waking up, you might have [narcolepsy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/narcolepsy/guide/), according to Cai.
It’s challenging to diagnose because its hallmark symptom — fatigue — is common to many other conditions. In fact, it can take eight years or more from symptom onset for a patient to receive a diagnosis.
## 6\. You Move in Your Sleep
Certain involuntary movements — including jerks, twitches, spasms, and acting out dreams — can be symptoms of these sleep conditions:
- Periodic limb movements of sleep
- [REM sleep behavior disorder](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/other-disorders/rem-behavior-disorder.aspx)
- Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder
Peters notes that narcolepsy may cause involuntary movements, too. Neurological conditions like [multiple sclerosis](https://www.everydayhealth.com/multiple-sclerosis/) and [Huntington’s disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/genetic-diseases/huntingtons-disease/) can also cause sleep movements.
Some people feel like they have to move to relax and sleep, a common occurrence with [restless legs syndrome](https://www.everydayhealth.com/restless-legs-syndrome/guide/). Symptoms include unpleasant sensations in the legs (such as pulling, itching, throbbing, or crawling) that are only eased by movement.
## 7\. You Have a Chronic Health Condition and Have Sleep Issues
Many chronic medical conditions can lead to sleep issues. [Chronic pain conditions](https://www.everydayhealth.com/chronic-pain/its-time-to-reframe-chronic-pain/) like [neuropathic pain](https://www.everydayhealth.com/neuropathy/guide/nerve-pain/), [chronic back pain](https://www.everydayhealth.com/back-pain/guide/), fibromyalgia, and [arthritis](https://www.everydayhealth.com/arthritis/pain-and-stiffness.aspx) can also fragment sleep, says Cai, which then worsens pain sensitivity.
Insufficient sleep also elevates the risk for heart disease, diabetes, [obesity](https://www.everydayhealth.com/obesity/guide/), kidney disease, high blood pressure, [stroke](https://www.everydayhealth.com/stroke/guide/), and [depression](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/). A somnologist can provide recommendations that align with the treatment of your chronic conditions or your health risks to improve your sleep and overall well-being.
## What to Expect at Your First Appointment With a Sleep Doctor
During your first appointment with a sleep doctor, they will ask about your medical history, perform a physical exam (focusing on your throat, airway, and breathing), and ask about your sleep habits. They may recommend further testing, such as a [sleep study](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-apnea/how-doctors-diagnose-sleep-apnea-plus-sleep-study/), and suggest behavioral therapies, lifestyle changes, medications, mechanical devices, or surgery to address your symptoms and improve your sleep quality.
Peters recommends keeping a sleep log for two to four weeks and sharing the info with your sleep doctor. In the log, track the time you went to bed, the time you woke up, how long it took to fall asleep, and how many times you woke up during the night. “A careful history helps us determine whether this is a lifelong genetic tendency or if specific factors are exacerbating the disruption,” says Peters.
## The Takeaway
- A somnologist is a sleep doctor who can thoroughly evaluate sleep disorders and provide treatment recommendations — such as medications, behavioral therapies, mechanical devices, or surgery — to address your sleep issues and enhance your overall quality of life.
- Consider seeing a somnologist if you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, have excessive fatigue, snore, move in your sleep, can’t relax at night without moving, or have difficulty concentrating.
- Insufficient sleep leads to mental and physical issues, and can increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and mood disorders, and can worsen chronic pain. |
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