Will a sleep study help if I have trouble waking up?

This question was asked in Eastborough, Kansas on 11/29/2012.
I have 2 alarms set to wake me in the mornings, and 9 times out of 10 I will still sleep through them. No matter how early I go to bed, I can never wake up with my alarms. It causes me to loose jobs or be late for everything. What does this sound like to you?

Doctors Answers (3)

J. Douglas Hudson, MD, DABSM
Answered on: 12/11/2012

Getting up in the morning can be difficult for some. I don't know your age or how long this has been an issue or other important history. A sleep study may be helpful to assess sleep architecture. Some persons are in their deepest sleep at the time they should be in much lighter sleep. Medications and changing some habits can help. A sleep specialist can help.

Joseph Lee, DDS, FICOI
Answered on: 11/30/2012

A sleep study analyzes your sleep stages, patterns, and respiratory events. Typically, during the beginning and middle periods of sleep have deeper stages of sleep (stage 3 or 4). As your sleep progresses towards morning, you get less stage 3/4 and get more REM sleep (dream sleep). This is a lighter stage of sleep. Typically you should be able to hear your alarm clock in this stage as it's easier to wake than if you were in a deeper stage. The sleep study give you insight as to how and if your breathing is affecting your sleep patterns.

Richard J. Schumann Jr., MD
Answered on: 11/30/2012

This sound like a hypersomnia disorder with extreme excessive daytime and night time sleepiness. You should see a sleep specialist for a night time and daytime test to assess this as soon as you can.