3 Ways to tell if it’s Time to Schedule a Sleep Study
Date Published
Did you know there are currently over 10 million cases of undiagnosed sleep apnea in the United States? If those with the condition go untreated, they are facing a huge list of additional diagnoses including heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes and heart failure.
Today, Advanced Sleep Medicine has provided three quick and easy ways to screen yourself at home for sleep apnea. If these tests come up positive for you or a loved one, then you should set up an appointment with us as soon as you can.
1. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale was developed in 1990 by Dr. Murray Johns. It typically takes less than 3 minutes to complete, and evaluates your daytime sleepiness in order to determine how likely you are to have a sleep disorder. Take the Epworth Sleepiness Scale now.
2. The STOP BANG Questionnaire
STOP BANG stands for Snoring, Tiredness during the daytime, Observed apnea, Pressure (high blood pressure), Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference and Gender. The questionnaire evaluates whether you have an obstruction in your airway that might be contributing to obstructive sleep apnea. Take the STOP BANG Questionnaire now.
3. Know how to interpret your health tracker
If you already own a health tracker such as a FitBit, certain models can record your movement during the night, including how often you wake up. If it starts to indicate restless nights, this could be a sign that something more serious is going on. The National Sleep Foundation has more information on how to interpret what your wearables are telling you.
Next steps if your screening is positive
After trying out these three at-home screenings, be sure to follow their advice and seek consultation from your family doctor or a local sleep specialist. If you discover that you are indeed suffering from sleep apnea, see about setting up an appointment with Advanced Sleep Medicine.
Frequently asked questions
Common signs include loud or chronic snoring, observed pauses in breathing during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, waking up gasping for air, morning headaches, and high blood pressure. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale and STOP BANG questionnaire are both quick at-home screening tools that can help you decide whether to book a sleep study.
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale typically takes under 3 minutes to complete. It is a validated questionnaire developed in 1990 by Dr. Murray Johns that scores how likely you are to doze off in eight common daily situations.
STOP BANG stands for Snoring, Tiredness during the daytime, Observed apnea, Pressure (high blood pressure), Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference and Gender. It is one of the most widely used screening questionnaires for obstructive sleep apnea.
A fitness tracker like a FitBit cannot diagnose sleep apnea, but it can flag patterns such as frequent night-time awakenings or restless sleep that suggest a sleep disorder. Use those signals as a prompt to consult a sleep specialist who can order a clinical sleep study.
Ready When You Are
Take a home sleep test in California
FDA-approved devices delivered to your door. Board-certified physicians review your results. 100+ insurance plans accepted.