Sleep / Seeing a doctor
Before your appointment
Appointments are short. A few notes make the conversation easier. The list is drawn from public advice by sleep physicians.
Bring along
- A sleep diary from the last two weeks: bedtimes, wake times, night awakenings and naps.
- A list of all medicines and supplements you take, current and past.
- Notes from your bed partner or housemate on what they hear at night; if possible, bring them along.
- A short list of night and day symptoms you notice: snoring, waking up gasping, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness.
- Notes on your caffeine, alcohol and smoking habits.
- What you have already tried and whether it helped.
- A written list of the questions you want to ask.
Questions you could ask
- Could my snoring or these symptoms point to a sleep problem?
- Do I need a sleep test? Would it be done at home or in a sleep lab?
- How should I prepare before the test?
- Depending on the results, what are the options?
- Which habits, such as sleep position, weight, alcohol or smoking, might be worth changing?
- Could any of my medicines be affecting my sleep or snoring?
- Should I be referred to a sleep specialist or sleep centre?
- What is the next step, and when should we meet again?
Your doctor may ask you
- How many hours do you sleep most nights, and do you wake up feeling rested?
- Do you have trouble falling or staying asleep, and since when?
- Do you often feel sleepy during the day?
- Do you snore, or wake up gasping for air?
This list is for information; it does not replace diagnosis or treatment.
List of accredited sleep centres in Turkey