Do you have a sleep disorder?

The 2005 Sleep in America Poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that of the 20% of respondents who usually take more than 30 minutes to fall asleep:

• 44% think they have a sleep problem
• 82% experience at least 1 symptom of insomnia
• 44% experience daytime sleepiness at least 3 days a week
• 32% report that they get less sleep than they need to perform at their best
• 44% have problems in their relationship due to their partner's sleep disorder

If you consistently have trouble sleeping at night, you may be one of 70 million Americans who suffer from sleep disturbances each year. Because there are over 100 types of sleep disorders, it might be difficult to figure out what is affecting your sleep. It is important to explore the possible causes of your sleeplessness and try to find a solution.

One way to evaluate the quality of your sleep is to think about how you feel during normal daytime activities. If you are experiencing one or more of the following characteristics, you may not be getting proper sleep at night (information provided by the National Institutes of Health).

Do you . . .

• fall asleep while driving?
• struggle to stay awake when inactive, such as when watching television or reading?
• have difficulty paying attention or concentrating at work, school, or home?
• have performance problems at work or school?
• often get told by others that you look sleepy?
• have difficulty remembering?
• have slowed responses?
• have difficulty controlling your emotions?
• need to take naps almost every day?