How do I know if I have Sleep Apnea?

13 Feb How do I know if I have Sleep Apnea?

You’ve likely seen some of the statistics on sleep apnea: millions of people have it but 90% of those who have it have not been diagnosed. Sleep apnea patients typically have some of the following signs and symptoms and related co-morbidities.

Signs and Symptoms of sleep disordered breathing may include one or more of the following:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness, especially in the afternoon or evening, and typically not relieved by naps. These episodes may occur while on the job or while at the wheel, leading to work accidents and motor vehicle crashes
• Snoring (typically loud, with intermittent pauses and explosive episodes)
• Choking or gasping during sleep, waking up with a sensation of being unable to breathe
• Apneic episodes (cessation of breathing during sleep). These episodes, which can be observed by a bed partner, typically last from 10 to 30 seconds, but may last as long as a minute or more.
• Nocturia: waking up to urinate, often two or more times per night;
• On children, bed-wetting may occur nightly with severe sleep apnea
• Persistent fatigue, waking up unrefreshed
• Morning headaches
• Bruxism (tooth grinding)
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux)
• Sexual dysfunction / Impotence
• Memory and concentration difficulties
• Impaired school and work performance
• Mood disorders, irritability, depression

Evaluate your sleepiness with an Epworth Sleepiness Score:

IF YOU ARE tired and sleepy, you snore, and you have just one or more of the above co-morbidities, then the odds are quite high that you have sleep apnea.