Do You Have Sleep Apnea Questionnaire?

Lifestyle, Sleep & Wellness

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Sleep apnea affects the way you breathe when you’re sleeping, and it deprives the brain of oxygen and has serious consequences. For example, sleep apnea results in chronic sleep deprivation which causes daytime sleepiness, slow reflexes, poor concentration, and an increased risk of accidents. Sleep apnea also leads to serious health problems over time, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and weight gain.1,2

 


 

Do You Have Sleep Apnea Questionnaire?

The following sleep apnea questionnaire provided by HelpGuide.org can help you and your physician determine whether or not you are at high risk for sleep apnea. Total your scores for all questions, then compare your total score to the guidelines below.

Sleep Apnea Questionnaire
1. Do you snore more than three nights a week? Yes (2 points)
No
2. Is your snoring loud (can it be heard through a door or wall)? Yes (2 points)
No
3. Has anyone ever told you that you briefly stop breathing or gasp when you are asleep? Never
Occasionally (3 points)
Frequently (5 points)
4. What is your collar size? Men:

Less than 17 inches
17 inches or greater (5 points)

Women:

Less than 16 inches
16 inches or greater (5 points)
5. Have you had high blood pressure, or are you being treated for it? Yes (2 points)
No
6. Do you ever doze or fall asleep during the day when you are not busy or active? Yes (2 points)
No
7. Do you ever doze or fall asleep during the day when you are driving or stopped at a light? Yes (2 points)
No

Interpreting the Sleep Apnea Questionnaire Score:

  • 0 to 5: Low probability of sleep apnea. You’re sleep problems are more likely to be caused by something other than sleep apnea. Consult your doctor for a diagnosis.
  • 6 to 8: It’s uncertain whether you have sleep apnea. You and your doctor should decide the next step based on other pieces of your medical history.
  • 9 +: You may have sleep apnea. You are a good candidate for a sleep study and should see your doctor.

 

EMG’s Sleep Homepage: Importance of Sleep

External Resources:

Updated: April 10th, 2015

 

1. Morgenthaler TI, Kagramanov V, Hanak V, Decker PA. Complex sleep apnea syndrome: is it a unique clinical syndrome? Sleep. Sep 2006; 29 (9): 1203-1209.

2. LJ E. Harvard Medical School Guide to a Good Night’s Sleep. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2007.

3. Sleep Apnea. http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_apnea.htm. HelpGuide.org.

 

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