If you do this in your sleep, see a doctor.
![If you do this in your sleep, see a doctor. If you do this in your sleep, see a doctor.](https://i0.wp.com/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-07/10/21/enhanced/b84619ed2b82/original-1819-1720648401-2.png?crop=1200:628;0,0%26downsize=1250:*&w=1200&resize=1200,628&ssl=1)
Your partner or roommates may be able to report any sleep problems you’re having so you can get them checked out, but that’s not really an option when you live alone.
“For people who live alone, it’s hard to detect a sleep disorder,” says Thomas Hammond, MD, a board-certified neurologist at the Marcus Neuroscience Institute in Boca Raton, Florida. “Sometimes the house is a mess, but it wasn’t before they went to bed, so it’s easier to notice that something is going on.”
Most of the time, however, you may sense that something is wrong with your sleep (for example, feeling excessively tired or irritable during the day, despite getting the recommended hours of sleep), but not wake up to concrete evidence the next day.
That’s where sleep tracking devices come in. “There are a number of ways to track sleep to understand potential symptoms that are occurring,” Johnston said. “These can include wearables, bedside devices and bed sensors.”
Wearable devices can collect information about movement, heart rate and breathing patterns. “Since most of these devices are multipurpose, users can also use them to track their eating habits and breathing patterns throughout the day,” Johnston said.
If your usual amount of sleep decreases significantly, for example, you might assume that this is due to symptoms related to your health condition. You can then compare this information with your sleep habits to better understand what symptoms may be occurring during your sleep and why.
Bedside devices sit next to your bed and can collect data on breathing patterns and body movements. “This information can help determine if you’re experiencing shortness of breath or excessive movement during sleep,” Johnston said. (The device can also store information about your bedroom environment, such as temperature, ambient noise and light.)
There are also bed sensors, which can be placed under the sheets or mattress. “These sensors collect information about movement and heart rate,” Johnston says. “Irregular heart rates can be linked to health issues, such as hyperthyroidism or excessive stress.” (Some sensors can also monitor temperature and humidity.)
Once you have collected two to three weeks of sleep data, you can bring it to your next doctor’s appointment for a consultation. Since consumer devices are not tested or regulated for clinical diagnosis, they won’t be able to use the data to make an official diagnosis, but they can at least use it to determine if clinical testing would be beneficial.
This article was originally published on The HuffPost.
News Source : www.buzzfeed.com
Gn Health