Insomnia is the inability to get good quality sleep during the night at least three times a week for a period of three months. While short-term sleep troubles can be resolved quickly, finding lasting relief requires a precise diagnosis and a comprehensive approach. Read on to learn about methods of insomnia diagnosis.
What is the Diagnosis of Insomnia Disorder?
An insomnia nursing diagnosis includes a comprehensive evaluation of sleep patterns, underlying medical or psychiatric issues, medication, or other sleep-related disturbances. Usually, a complete medical history of the individual affected is taken, and a physical examination is also done. The doctor would also check for symptoms and risk factors, including family health history.
The following methods are used for insomnia and insomnia related to nursing diagnosis:
- Questionnaires – A set of questions for self-evaluation or a medical assessment is done to check the type of sleep disturbances, quality of sleep, and daytime dysfunction.
- Sleep logs – A complete sleep pattern study by maintaining a log or diary helps to note circadian rhythm, bedtime activities, daytime naps, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and record wakefulness after sleep onset.
- Laboratory work-up – A comprehensive set of medical tests are done to find any health issues associated and include - complete blood count, thyroid function tests, glycosylated hemoglobin, liver function tests, serum iron studies, and renal function tests
- Actigraphy – wearing a wrist actigraph helps assess several sleep parameters and daytime motor activities. It is a non-invasive device which you can wear as a watch.
- Polysomnography – It helps to read periodic limb movements (PLM) while asleep or abnormal breathing patterns in an insomnia-inflicted individual.