Patients
How do I get diagnosed?
Diagnosis is the critical first step in treating sleep apnea
If you think you have sleep apnea, it’s important to find out for sure.
We’re here to support you
When you’re not sure what the symptoms might mean, it’s natural to worry about what comes next. We understand how big this moment can feel, and we’re here to help guide you through the process. If you do have sleep apnea, getting diagnosed is the first step toward feeling better and sleeping better.
Here’s how you can get started
Read through the steps below to better understand each step in the diagnosis process.
1
Take the symptoms quiz
Take the symptoms quiz to determine whether you may be experiencing sleep apnea symptoms (you can even print your results to share with your doctor).
Take the quiz
2
Talk with your doctor about your results
If your symptoms quiz results indicate a concern, you can discuss your results with your primary care doctor. Based on that discussion, they may prescribe a sleep study or refer you to a sleep specialist.
3
Have a sleep study completed
Your doctor may order an overnight sleep study, also called a polysomnogram or PSG. Sleep studies are simple and painless, and resulting treatment can be life-changing. A sleep study takes place overnight in a sleep lab or in your home, depending on your doctor's prescription.
4
Get your sleep study results
Your doctor will receive your sleep study results, including (but not limited to) how long you slept and your Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI). (AHI measures the number of times you have an apnea (when you stop breathing for a short time) or hypopnea (when you partially stop breathing for a short time) while you’re asleep.1
5
Begin treatment
If your doctor has officially diagnosed sleep apnea, they will speak with you about available treatment options and which is best for you.
References
- Cartwright criteria, Effect of Sleep Position on Sleep Apnea Severity, R. Cartwright, 1984