How to Diagnose Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common condition that affects over 12 million people nationwide. Sleep apnea causes a person to stop breathing several times per night with episodes lasting 30 seconds or more. Learn how to diagnose sleep apnea in order to find methods to control the disorder.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Know that although all people are susceptible to sleep apnea, those with a higher risk include people who are male, overweight and over the age of 40.
2. Realize that sleep apnea can cause weight gain, elevated blood pressure and headaches. Left unchecked, sleep apnea is dangerous to a person's overall health.
3. Understand the types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is when something blocks the airways during sleep, causing a person to stop breathing. Central sleep apnea is not caused by a blockage, but by the brain's inability to relay a message to breathe. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of the obstructive and central versions.
4. Keep a diary of your sleep patterns. Have your spouse or a close friend monitor your sleep for 2 or 3 nights. She should record variations in snoring, whether or not you are asleep and any breathing problems that occur. You can also record yourself or visit a sleep center to be monitored.
5. Expect your doctor to take a medical history and to examine your mouth and nasal passages for any blockages that might cause your sleep apnea. He may also run diagnostic tests like an x-ray or CT scan to look at your head and throat areas. A referral to a sleep clinic for a sleep study should be expected as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Obstructive sleep apnea can be helped surgically (to remove any blockages) or by wearing a special dental appliance while you sleep.
• Undiagnosed sleep apnea is dangerous. Lack of appropriate sleep causes daytime drowsiness that affects judgment and impairs physical tasks like driving. If you suspect sleep apnea, see your doctor immediately for an exam.