According to the National Sleep Foundation (www.sleepfoundation.org), fewer than 5% of all cases of insomnia, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders is diagnosed by physicians. The simple truth is that most doctors do not ask patients about their sleep. As a result, they are missing a crucial opportunity to help patients move toward better health.

“Always ask patients about their sleep,” said Dr. Maurer. It need not be an exhaustive sleep history. A few simple questions will usually give you a good sense of someone’s sleep health, as well as key clues that can help in developing a treatment plan.

Dr. Maurer recommended asking open-ended rather than binary “Yes/No” questions. “Simply ask, “How’s your sleep?” You’d be surprised what people will say. And you get a sense of how they perceive their own sleep.”

One of the most important facets to identify is the time it takes for someone to fall asleep. “I always ask, “How long does it take you to fall asleep after you turn the light out and your head hits the pillow?” If it takes someone more than an hour to fall asleep, they have insomnia. On the other hand, if they’re out within 30 seconds, they’re sleep-deprived.”

If someone is having sleep problems, it is often helpful to find out what he or she habitually does in the hour or two before they go to sleep. People who spend an hour online right before bed usually have a hard time disconnecting and going to sleep. Likewise, exercising prior to bedtime is not usually a good idea. “Reading before sleep is generally fine, depending, of course, on what one is reading. Murder mysteries and suspense novels may not be the best idea,” Dr. Maurer said.