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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you suspect that you have obstructive sleep apnea, you'll likely first see your family doctor or a primary care doctor. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a sleep specialist.
Because appointments can be brief, and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment requests. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as keeping a sleep diary. In a sleep diary, you record your sleep patterns — bedtime, number of hours slept, nighttime awakenings and awake time — as well as your daily routine, naps and how you feel during the day. You may be asked to record a sleep diary for one to two weeks.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including new or ongoing health problems, major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking. Include anything you've taken to help you sleep.
- Take your bed partner along, if possible. Your doctor may want to talk to your partner to learn more about how much and how well you're sleeping.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor. Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions helps you make the most of your time together.
For insomnia, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms?
- Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- Should I go to a sleep clinic? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.
What to expect from your doctor
A key part of the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea is a detailed history, meaning your doctor will ask you many questions. These may include:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- Do you snore or wake up gasping or out of breath?
- How refreshed do you feel when you wake up?
- Are you tired during the day?
- Do you doze off or have trouble staying awake while sitting quietly or driving?
- Do you nap during the day?
- Do you use tobacco or drink alcohol?
- Do you worry about falling asleep or staying asleep?
- Do you have any family members with sleep problems?
- What medications do you take?
What you can do in the meantime
- Try to sleep on your side. Most forms of sleep apnea are milder when you sleep on your side.
- Avoid alcohol close to bedtime. Alcohol worsens obstructive sleep apnea.
- If you're drowsy, avoid driving. If you have sleep apnea you may be abnormally sleepy, which can put you at higher risk of motor vehicle accidents. At times, a close friend or family member might tell you that you appear sleepier than you feel. If this is true, try to avoid driving at all.
- Strohl KP. Overview of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 16, 2009.
- Sleep apnea. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_WhatIs.html. Accessed March 16, 2009.
- Kline LR. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 16, 2009.
- Kryger MH. Management of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 16, 2009.
- Olson E, et al. Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. Primary care: Clinics in office practice. 2005;32:329.
- Ballard RD. Management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The Journal of Family Practice. 2008;57(suppl):S24.
- Welch KC, et al. Sleep disorders. In: Lalwani AK. Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2828912. Accessed March 16, 2009.
- 510(k) summary: Pillar palatal implant system. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf4/k040417.pdf. Accessed March 18, 2009.
