Call your health provider if:

• A sleeping problem becomes persistent and unbearable, despite home treatment
• A sleeping problem occurs more than 3 nights per week for more than 1 month
• The insomnia is accompanied by other worrisome symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of breath

Text Continues Below

---

Your provider will perform a physical examination. To help better understand your sleeping problems, he or she may ask the following:

• Do you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia)?
• Do you awaken from sleep not feeling rested?
• How often do you awaken at night?
• How long have you had the problem?
• Have you taken any over-the-counter sleeping products?
• What medications do you take?
• Do you take any herbal supplements or alternative medicine remedies?
• Do you drink much coffee or alcohol? Have you recently cut down on your coffee or alcohol?
• Do you have any excessive stress or anxiety?
• How much do you normally sleep? What hours?
• What do you do during the few hours before you go to bed?
• Do your sleep schedule change frequently? (shift work)
• Do you fall asleep at inappropriate times or places?
• Does your sleep schedule change drastically on weekends?
• Do you worry excessively about sleep?
• Do you have breath-holding spells or do you snore?
• Do you have any aches or pains that prevent you from sleeping?

• Sleep log record
• Psychological tests
• Thyroid tests (TSH, T3, T4)