Sleep Health

Waking up exhausted despite a full night in bed, loud snoring that's disrupting your household, or a pattern of lying awake for hours, these aren't just inconveniences. Chronic poor sleep affects physical health, mental wellbeing, concentration, and workplace safety. And in a region with significant numbers of shift workers in healthcare, manufacturing, and emergency services, sleep problems are especially worth paying attention to.

How Much Sleep Do Adults Actually Need?

For adults, the National Sleep Foundation recommends between seven and nine hours per night. Australian data consistently shows many people fall short of this, and the health effects of long-term sleep deprivation are well-documented, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, and anxiety.

Common Sleep Conditions a GP Can Help With

Some of the sleep disorders our GPs assess and support include:

• Insomnia, including difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
• Restless legs syndrome
• Shift work sleep disorder
• Circadian rhythm disruption, increasingly common among younger adults

Sleep Apnoea: Frequently Missed, Worth Investigating

Obstructive sleep apnoea affects an estimated one in four Australian men and one in ten women, yet it often goes undetected for years. Signs can include loud snoring, waking suddenly during the night, morning headaches, and persistent daytime fatigue that doesn't improve with more sleep. If a partner has noticed breathing pauses during the night, that's worth mentioning to a GP.

A GP can arrange a home sleep study or refer for a formal sleep clinic assessment. Treatment options, including CPAP therapy, dental devices, and lifestyle changes, are available depending on findings.

Insomnia and CBT-I

For chronic insomnia, the first-line recommended treatment is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), not sleeping tablets. CBT-I is a structured programme that addresses the thoughts and behaviours that maintain poor sleep. Your GP can guide you through this approach or provide a referral to a psychologist with experience in sleep health.

Practical Sleep Hygiene to Try Now

A few consistent habits can make a meaningful difference:

• Keep a regular sleep and wake time, including on weekends
• Avoid screens for at least 30 to 60 minutes before bed
• Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet
• Limit caffeine after midday and alcohol in the evenings
• Use your bed for sleep only, not for scrolling or watching TV

Concerned about your sleep? Book a consultation at Crown West Medical, 330 Crown Street Wollongong. Call us on (02) 4228 4155 or book online via HotDoc.

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