Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where a person stops breathing for a period of time during sleep. This stop in breathing can last from a few seconds up to 30-40 seconds of breathlessness. The number of times this can occur in a night can be from just a few to hundreds of times in a night. Severe sleep apnea has been linked to the occurrence of high blood pressure and diabetes, and can significantly decrease a person's life span. Though almost every single person who has sleep apnea also snores, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. There is a very quick questionnaire patients can fill out to see if they are at higher risk of sleep apnea or lower risk. Below is the STOP-BANG questionnaire and it will help you recognize if you are at low, intermediate, or high risk of sleep apnea.
Stop-Bang Sleep Apnea Questionnaire
Name ______________________________
Height ___________
Weight _________
Age __________
Male / Female ___________
Do you SNORE loudly (louder than talking or loud enough to be heard through closed doors)? Yes, No
Do you often feel TIRED, fatigued, or sleepy during daytime? Yes, No
Has anyone OBSERVED you stop breathing during your sleep? Yes, No
Do you have or are you being treated for high blood PRESSURE? Yes No
BMI more than 35kg/m2? Yes, No
AGE over 50 years old? Yes, No
NECK circumference > 16 inches (40cm)? Yes, No
Gender: Male? Yes, No
TOTAL SCORE:
- High risk of OSA: Yes 5 - 8
- Intermediate risk of OSA: Yes 3 - 4
- Low risk of OSA: Yes 0 - 2