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Review the following 'Questions To Ask' about sleep disorders so you're prepared to discuss this important issue with your health care professional.

1. Could my excessive sleepiness (ES) or insomnia be caused by an underlying physical, emotional or psychological condition? How are ES and insomnia treated?

2. Could my excessive sleepiness or insomnia be caused by a medication I'm taking?

3. Could my fatigue be caused by an underlying physical, emotional or psychological condition? How can it be treated?

4. I don't sleep as well as I did when I was younger. Are sleep changes normal in older adults?

5. How much sleep do I really need, under normal conditions?

6. Should I take sleeping pills for my insomnia? What are their possible side effects? Am I at risk of becoming addicted to them?

7. How can I improve my sleep habits to help relieve my insomnia? What should I do if I find myself tossing in bed, unable to sleep?

8. What should I avoid eating or drinking if I want to improve my chances of getting a good night's sleep? Should I avoid napping during the day?

9. If a polysomnogram, or sleep study, is recommended for me, how should I prepare for it?

10. What is a sleep diary? How can it help you evaluate my problems with sleep?

11. What details should I include in a sleep diary to help diagnose the causes and effects of my sleeping problem?

12. Are there any tests that I can do at home to determine if I'm suffering from excessive sleepiness or fatigue? If so, what are they?