Sleep Apnea Test Questions

The following questions will help you determine your risk for sleep apnea:

  1. Do you have any of these problems?
  1. Do you ever wake up from sleep with a choking sound or gasping for breath?
  2. Does your bed partner point out that you snore or stop breathing while you sleep?
  3. Do you have any of these other symptoms?

Obesity can cause sleep apnea

  • Nocturia (waking during the night to go to the bathroom)
  • Morning migraines
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory loss
  • Reduced sexual desire
  • Irritability
  1. Do you have any of these physical features?
  • Obesity – body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above
  • Large neck size – 17 inches or more in men, 16 inches or more in women
  • Enlarged tongue or tonsils
  • Recessed jaw
  • Nasal polyps or a deviated septum
  1. Do you have any of these other medical issues that are common in people with sleep apnea?
  • High blood pressure
  • Mood disorders
  • Coronary artery disorder
  • Stroke
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Heart attack
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Type 2 diabetes

Symptoms & Risk Factors

Symptoms

Having difficulty concentrating from sleep apneaThe most common sign of sleep apnea is snoring. However, not everyone who snores suffers from sleep apnea. Snoring is likely to be a symptom of sleep apnea when it is accompanied by silent breathing pauses and choking or gasping sounds.

People with sleep apnea mostly have daytime sleepiness or fatigue.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Loud or frequent snoring
  • Silent pauses in breathing
  • Choking or gasping sounds
  • Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
  • Unrefreshing sleep
  • Insomnia
  • Morning headaches
  • Nocturia (waking during the night to go to the bathroom)
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory loss
  • Decreased sexual desire
  • Irritability

Risk Factors

The primary risk factor for sleep apnea is excessive body weight. You are much more likely to have sleep apnea if you are overweight or obese. However, sleep apnea can affect slim people too.  Common risk factors for sleep apnea include:

  • Excess weight – Your risk for sleep apnea is increased if you are overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more or obese with a BMI of 30 or higher.
  • Large neck size – Your risk for sleep apnea is increased if you have a neck size of 17 inches or more for men, or 16 inches or more for women. A large neck has more tender tissue that can block your airway during sleep.
  • Middle age  Sleep apnea can happen at any age. However, it is more often found between young adulthood and middle age.

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