The following three steps will help determine if you suffer from sleep apnea.
Step 1/3 - Symptoms
Step 2/3 - Epworth sleepiness scale
Step 3/3 - Stop-Bang scoring model
Results
Your symptoms
Having more than one symptom indicates you might suffer from a sleep disorder
Epworth sleepiness scale
Results of 9 or higher suggest worrisome daytime sleepiness. You should see your doctor as soon as possible.
You must answer all the questions of the pre-testing of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale
Stop-Bang scoring model
Results of 3 or higher indicate a moderate to high risk of sleep apnea
Overall results
Your risk of suffering from sleep apnea is low. If you are unsure, print out your results and show them to your doctor.
You are showing worrisome signs of daytime sleepiness and should see your doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause and to find out if you suffer from a sleep disorder.
You are at moderate to high risk of sleep apnea. A sleep study is recommended. Print out the results and show them to your doctor.
You are showing worrisome signs of daytime sleepiness as well as several symptoms or risk factors associated with sleep apnea. Print out your results and show them to your doctor.
You are showing several signs commonly associated with sleep apnea. The combination of these symptoms might indicate you suffer from a sleep disorder. Print out the results and show them to your doctor.
You are showing signs of excessive daytime sleepiness. Print out the results of this test and show them to your doctor as soon as possible. Avoid driving. To get an accurate diagnosis of your sleep disorder, consultation for a sleep study is recommended.
* The ESS was first published in 1991 (Murray W Johns. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: the Epworth sleepiness scale.Sleep 1991 Dec;14(6):540-5)
1 Sleepiness is more or less an irresistible urge to fall asleep when inactive. This feeling is very distinct from the feeling of tiredness that sometimes requires rest.
