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What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects about 1 in 5 people. People with sleep apnea stop breathing while they're asleep, sometimes hundreds of times a night.
 What are the effects of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea can be life-threatening. If you have sleep apnea, you may be a higher risk for serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and obesity.
Treating sleep apnea can improve these conditions and your overall quality of life. Sleep apnea treatment has been shown to reduce blood pressure, improve glucose control in diabetics, and make you feel better. If you have sleep apnea, you need to get treated.
What is the treatment for sleep apnea?
The standard treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. CPAP therapy is safe, easy and does not involve drugs or surgery.
Once you start CPAP, you will probably notice a huge difference in your life right away. In addition to lowering the danger to your health, you'll have relief from your symptoms and more energy to do the things you want to do.
What should you do?
To help find out if you have sleep apnea, just answer the questions at the bottom of this page for your doctor. It will help your doctor decide whether you need further testing.
Talking to your doctor
Ready to see a doctor about your sleeping problems? When you talk to your doctor, be sure to do the following:
- Print this page
- Answer the questions at the bottom of the page
- List your symptoms
 Remind your doctor if you have any other condition(s) (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, stoke).
Points to discuss with your doctor
These points will help you discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Take them with you to your doctor and be sure to ask any additional questions you may have.- My spouse told me that I stop breathing during sleep
- I'm tired all day, even after eight hours of sleep
- I have no energy throughout the day
- I have the following additional symptoms (describe all): snoring, depression, excessive sleepiness, poor concentration, weight gain or loss, sexual dysfunction
- Is there a test I can take to determine if I have sleep apnea?
- Will my insurance cover a sleep test?
Questions your doctor may ask you
Be ready for your doctor to ask you some questions, and be as thorough as possible when answering. If someone has seen you stop breathing during sleep, bring that person with you to describe it, if possible.- Do you snore?
- Do you wake up in the night gasping for air?
- Do you have high blood pressure?
- Does anyone tell you that you stop breathing during sleep?
- Are you tired after a full night's sleep?
- Are you tired throughout the day?
- Are you depressed?
- Do you ever fall asleep while watching television or stopped in traffic at a stoplight?
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