Can a Sleep Diary Help Diagnose Sleep Apnea?

Every night, millions of people miss out on countless hours of sleep because of sleep apnea; and even worse, many more cases remain completely undiagnosed! But sleep apnea does more than just cause you to miss out on rest; it can lead to some serious health complications if left untreated! This means that seeking a diagnosis and appropriate treatment is crucial if you suspect you suffer from sleep apnea. But did you know that keeping a sleep diary can also play a vital role in determining the quality of your sleep and the source of your disruption? Keep reading to learn more from your sleep dentist.

What Exactly Is a Sleep Diary?

A sleep diary is exactly what it sounds like it is—it’s nothing fancy, expensive, or hard to come by at all. It’s a simple diary or journal that’s used to determine how much sleep you’re getting at night and what the quality of that sleep is like. With it, you can record all of your sleeping patterns, habits, and anything else integral in determining if sleep apnea is the source of your sleep disruption. With this recorded information, your provider has even more data at their disposal to help them determine the best course of treatment.

What Are the Benefits to Keeping a Sleep Diary?

The main benefit to keeping a sleep diary is that it allows you to record, organize, and expand on all information pertaining to your sleep (and possibly, your sleep apnea). This information also includes relevant lifestyle habits that can influence your sleep. You can include information about the following:

• Your usual bedtime and approximately how long it takes you to fall asleep.
• The overall quality of your rest.
• The frequency at which you wake up throughout the nighttime.
• Naps that are taken throughout the day.
• Your daily diet and caffeine/stimulant consumption.
• Any medications that might be affecting your ability to rest.
• Exercise/daily physical activity.

These little details tell the full story of your sleeping habits when looked at comprehensively, and by logging them, you’re helping to get to the bottom of your sleep disruption. Keeping these details listed also ensures that nothing is left out or forgotten; even the little things make a difference when it comes to determining the cause of poor sleep.

How Does a Sleep Diary Help with Diagnosing Sleep Apnea?

To put it simply, keeping a sleep diary can save your sleep specialist a considerable amount of time and effort as they investigate your sleep disruption! You are providing days, if not weeks, of valuable information, which is much more than what can be acquired during a single sleep study (a noninvasive test used to diagnose sleep apnea). Additionally, keeping a sleep diary can help you to be more proactive and informed about your sleeping habits—which in turn can help you to eliminate other causes of sleep disruption aside from sleep apnea.

There are many benefits to keeping a sleep diary; especially if you suspect you’re suffering from sleep apnea! That said, consider keeping a record of your sleeping habits and speaking with your sleep dentist about possible treatment options if you’re ready to get some good sleep again.

About the Author

Dr. Robert Dernick has proudly served patients and families in The Woodlands, TX for several decades! Dr. Dernick received his dental doctorate from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston and has taken countless hours of continuing education in a wide range of fields. His practice offers many available services including oral appliance therapy to assist with sleep apnea. If you have any questions about sleep apnea or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact Dr. Dernick through his practice’s website or over the phone: (281) 771-1294.