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Step 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.
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Step 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.
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Step 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.
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Step 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.
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Step 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.
