I have trouble falling asleep.
	I wake up too early and cannot get back to sleep.
	My sleep is interrupted many times during the night.
	I have a hard time turning over and moving in bed.
	I get stiff at night.
	I get muscle cramps at night.
	Tremors interrupt my sleep.
	Other spasms or unintentional movements (not tremors) interrupt my sleep.
	I have vivid dreams.
	I have nightmares.
	I sleepwalk.
	I sleepwalk.
	I wake up three or more times each night
	I consistenly get less than five hours of sleep per night

Take this checklist to your doctor and ask him or her how you might improve your sleep.

How Do I Improve My Sleep?

"Sleep hygiene" is simply a set of rules that will make your sleep better. Many of these guidelines are obvious. Hints for improving sleep with Parkinson's include the following elements of sleep hygiene:

• Spend as much time in bright daylight as you can. Avoid daytime naps. Stay as active as possible during the day.
• Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and tobacco close to bedtime. (Remember there are a few Parkinson's medications that have a stimulant effect.)
• Avoid alcohol before bedtime.
• Avoid drinking a lot of fluid before you go to bed. This will reduce trips to the bathroom.
• Avoid heavy late-night meals.
• Do things that help you relax before you go to bed.
• Maintain a regular sleep routine.
• Create a routine for going to sleep at night and stick with it.
• Don't stay in bed after you wake up. Use the bed for sleeping. If you like to watch TV in bed, consider watching from a different location. That way your mind knows the bed is for sleeping.
• Use your bedroom for sleeping. Use other rooms in your house for reading, watching TV, working, exercising, etc.