Getting the right amount of nightly sleep can mean the world of difference in how awake and alert we feel during the day. You may even think you’re getting enough sleep at night because you go to bed 7-9 hours before you wake every morning, but you may not be aware that your sleep is being disturbed and causing you to feel drowsy during the day.
The following quiz is based on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a short questionnaire that is used by sleep professionals to measure a patients likelihood of falling asleep at inappropriate times during the day. Answers are helpful for sleep physicians in diagnosing (or ruling out) potential sleep disorders.
Common sleep disorders that cause excessive daytime sleepiness are many, but include: obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and more.
Take our sleep quizzes and see if your daytime drowsiness may be a cause for concern.
Here are 5 possible reasons why you are still waking up feeling like you did not get enough rest.
- Restless limbs. If you or your partner moves all through the night, it could disrupt your sleep significantly. If you wake up tangled in your sheets and feel sleepy every morning, it may be a sign that you have restless limbs.
- Grinding teeth. You can be entirely unaware that you grind you teeth in your sleep, and affecting the quality of sleep that you receive. It could be a condition called Bruxism, where you clench your jaw or grind your teeth during your sleep.
- Acid Reflux. If a sharp burning pain in your stomach is keeping you up at night try not eating 2 hours before bedtime and take antacids to alleviate the discomfort.
- Bathroom breaks. If you find yourself needing to get up throughout the night disrupting your sleep, it could be contributing to your overall tired feeling. Try not to drinks any liquids 3 hours before bedtime and cut back on the amount of alcohol and caffeine consumed.
- Circadian Rhythm. Your sleep cycle might be out of sync causing you to have a restless night. To reset your rhythm- get rid of electronics in the bedroom or stop using them an hour before bed, and try taking a short walk first thing in the morning to get your body adjusted to the natural light.
Poor sleep could be a sign of a sleep disorder
If you practice the above guidelines of a healthier lifestyle and better sleeping habits but still find yourself suffering from daytime drowsiness, it may be a sign of a more severe medical condition such as: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), anemia, thyroid problems, narcolepsy, depression, restless leg syndrome, un-diagnosed heart disease, or deficiencies in key nutrients. If you think that you may be suffering from one of these medical conditions you should contact your physician or local sleep clinic immediately.
And remember, you can always contact us here at The Alaska Sleep Clinic for questions or to schedule a consultation.
If a sleep study may be what’s needed, click the link below to schedule a sleep study at one of our four locations across Alaska.
