Doctors are ‘sleeping’ on discussing this important health factor with patients

DARIEN, IL – A 2024 survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medication reveals that 51% of People have by no means mentioned their sleep with a well being skilled. The AASM advises that speaking about sleep issues can assist docs establish underlying issues and probably diagnose a sleep problem.

“Over half (54%) of People imagine that they don’t get sufficient sleep but they don’t volunteer this info after they meet with their well being care suppliers,” mentioned Dr. Kin M. Yuen, a sleep doctor who serves on the AASM’s Advocacy Committee. “We should redefine what is suitable, which is to optimize our well being, sleep and vitamin. Speaking about sleep habits and issues needs to be a part of each well being encounter.”

Some sufferers who focus on sleep with their well being care professionals are unable to obtain the assistance that they want. The survey signifies 17% of individuals have had hassle getting look after a sleep problem or sleep drawback as a result of their medical insurance plan declined to pay for the service.

“Ideally, everybody combating wholesome sleep ought to obtain the care that they want,” mentioned Yuen. “Sleep is crucial to well being and treating a sleep problem might be the important thing to higher well being and well-being.”

However how ought to sufferers speak to their physician about sleep? The AASM recommends:

Observe Your Sleep: Hold a sleep diary, or use a sleep tracker, that will help you and your physician perceive your typical sleep sample and sleep length.
Point out Sleep: When reserving your appointment or while you arrive, point out that you simply need to focus on your sleep issues in the course of the appointment.
Focus on Signs: Inform your physician about the important thing options of your sleep drawback, resembling loud night breathing, problem falling asleep or staying asleep, stressed legs within the night or at night time, or extreme daytime sleepiness.
Ask Questions: In case you are taking a drugs, ask your physician if it may trigger sleep issues as a aspect impact. In that case, ask for those who ought to both take the remedy at a distinct time of day or attempt a distinct remedy.

Come ready with questions or issues so that you and your physician can work collectively to take motion and make a therapy plan. Your physician might refer you to an AASM-accredited sleep middle. For extra details about methods to speak to your physician about sleep, or to discover a native AASM-accredited sleep middle close to you, please go to sleepeduation.org.

View 2024 AASM Sleep Prioritization Survey leads to the AASM newsroom.

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Concerning the Survey

The American Academy of Sleep Medication commissioned an internet survey of two,006 adults within the U.S. The general margin of error fell inside +/- 2 proportion factors with a confidence interval of 95 %. Fieldwork occurred between Might 16-24, 2024. Atomik Analysis is an impartial market analysis company.

Concerning the American Academy of Sleep Medication

Established in 1975, the AASM is a medical affiliation that advances sleep care and enhances sleep well being to enhance lives. The AASM membership contains greater than 9,500 physicians, scientists, and different well being care professionals who assist individuals who have sleep issues. The AASM additionally accredits 2,300 sleep facilities which are offering the best high quality of sleep care throughout the nation.