Lesson 1Sleep partner report and bed-partner questionnaire use: witness reports, bed partner sleep diaries, STOP-Bang components collected from partnerExplains how to include observations from sleep partners, covering snoring, apneas, movements, vocalizations, and parasomnias. Reviews use of partner questionnaires, sleep diaries, and STOP-Bang items got from the bed partner.
Eliciting detailed partner observationsPartner reports of snoring and apneasNocturnal movements and parasomnia signsBed-partner sleep diaries and logsSTOP-Bang items from partner historyLesson 2Screening for other sleep disorders: RLS/PLMD screening, insomnia disorder questions, circadian rhythm disorder screening, REM behavior screeningGives a structured way to screen for restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and REM sleep behavior disorder, using key diagnostic questions to guide further tests or referrals.
Key questions for restless legs syndromeClues to periodic limb movement disorderCore insomnia disorder interview itemsCircadian rhythm disorder screening pointsREM sleep behavior disorder red flagsLesson 3Focused symptom history: snoring, witnessed apneas, nocturnal choking, nocturia, morning headaches, non-restorative sleepDetails how to get a precise night-time symptom history, including snoring, witnessed apneas, choking, nocturia, gasping, and morning headaches, to tell obstructive sleep apnea apart from other causes of non-restorative or broken sleep.
Characterizing snoring pattern and severityWitnessed apneas and gasping descriptionsNocturnal choking, reflux, and positional factorsNocturia, sweating, and other autonomic signsMorning headaches and non-restorative sleepSymptom timelines and aggravating factorsLesson 4Comorbidities and medications: cardiovascular disease, psychiatric disorders, pain, nasal disease, antihypertensives, sedatives, alcohol and stimulant useFocuses on finding medical, mental health, and medication factors contributing to sleep problems, including heart and lung diseases, pain, nose issues, mind-altering drugs, sedatives, alcohol, stimulants, and interactions from many medicines.
Cardiometabolic and respiratory comorbiditiesPsychiatric disorders affecting sleepChronic pain and nasal or airway diseaseSedatives, opioids, and psychotropic agentsAlcohol, caffeine, and stimulant use patternsPolypharmacy and drug interaction reviewLesson 5Substance, lifestyle, and sleep hygiene assessment: alcohol timing/quantity, caffeine, smoking, exercise, weight historyOutlines checking alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, exercise, diet, and evening habits that affect sleep. Stresses timing, amount, long-term patterns, weight history, and how to turn findings into custom sleep hygiene advice.
Alcohol timing, dose, and nightcap effectsCaffeine sources, timing, and sensitivityNicotine, vaping, and other substancesExercise timing and light exposure habitsWeight history and recent weight changeTargeted sleep hygiene counseling pointsLesson 6Sleep timing and architecture: bedtime, wake time, sleep latency, awakenings, naps, shift work, variabilityReviews how to map sleep timing, regularity, and continuity, including bedtime, wake time, latency, awakenings, naps, and shift work. Stresses spotting body clock misalignment, social jet lag, and habits leading to insomnia.
Bedtime, wake time, and time in bedSleep latency and nocturnal awakeningsNapping habits and unintended dozingShift work, jet lag, and social jet lagWeekday–weekend variability patternsUsing sleep diaries to clarify patternsLesson 7Red flags and safety assessment: unexplained weight loss, neurological signs, excessive daytime sleepiness with high accident risk, nocturnal seizures, psychiatric crisisCovers urgent sleep-related warning signs needing quick action, including safety risks from severe sleepiness, possible brain disease, seizures, major weight loss, and mental health crisis, plus sorting, recording, and referral paths.
Identifying medical and neurological red flagsAssessing excessive sleepiness and accident riskScreening for nocturnal seizures and parasomniasRecognizing psychiatric crisis and suicidalityImmediate safety planning and urgent referralsLesson 8Daytime symptoms and function: Epworth Sleepiness Scale scoring, concentration, mood, occupational safety risksExplores structured check of daytime sleepiness, tiredness, thinking, mood, and safety. Includes using Epworth Sleepiness Scale, effects on work, driving, relationships, and telling sleepiness from low energy or depression.
Using and interpreting the Epworth ScaleDifferentiating sleepiness from fatigueCognitive and mood impacts of poor sleepOccupational and driving safety assessmentEffects on relationships and quality of life
