Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

Insurance Cards, Driver’s License

I don't know why I'm here. I sleep just fine.

Sleep affects our entire body. Most of the time, we aren’t sleeping as well as we could be. Sleep studies can be a way for your doctor to rule out what could be causing your symptoms.

What are the risks of untreated sleep apnea?

Increased risk of heart attack and stroke in your sleep
Memory Loss
Increased Risk of Diabetes
Increased restlessness
Frequent trips to the bathroom at night
Daytime napping or fatigue

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts at night. You might have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep.

Three types of sleep apnea.

1. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common apnea, occurs when throat muscles relax.

2. Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

3. Complex sleep apnea syndrome combines obstructive and Central apnea.

How Many Apneas Per Hour Is Severe?

Severe obstructive sleep apnea means your AHI (Average Hypopnea Index) is greater than 30 (more than 30 episodes per hour). Moderate obstructive sleep apnea means that your AHI is between 15 and 30. Mild obstructive sleep apnea means that your AHI is between 5 and 15.