Do I Have Sleep Apnea?

Eight questions. Three minutes. An honest answer.

Why this matters

Sleep apnea is more common than people realize. About 22 million Americans have it, and roughly 80 percent of them don’t know it. Loud snoring, daytime fatigue, morning headaches: these get written off as stress, age, or “just how I sleep.” Often they aren’t.

The questions below are based on the STOP-BANG questionnaire, one of the most widely validated screening tools in sleep medicine. It is not a diagnosis. It is a quick way to find out whether your symptoms warrant a closer look.

Be honest. If you have a sleep partner, ask them about the questions you can’t answer yourself. Their input is often more accurate than yours.

The eight questions

Count your “yes” answers as you go.

1. Snoring. Do you snore loudly? Loud enough to be heard through a closed door, or loud enough that your partner has elbowed you in the night?

2. Tired. Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the day, even after what should have been a full night of sleep?

3. Observed. Has anyone ever observed you stop breathing, gasp, or choke while you were sleeping?

4. Pressure. Do you have high blood pressure, or are you being treated for it?

5. BMI. Is your Body Mass Index over 35? (Not sure? A quick web search for “BMI calculator” will tell you in 10 seconds.)

6. Age. Are you older than 50?

7. Neck. Is your neck circumference larger than 16 inches for women or 17 inches for men?

8. Gender. Are you male?

What your score means

0 to 2 yes answers — Low risk

Your risk of obstructive sleep apnea appears to be low. If you are still concerned about symptoms, particularly daytime fatigue that doesn’t match how much you are sleeping, talk with your primary care doctor.

3 to 4 yes answers — Intermediate risk

You may have a moderate risk for sleep apnea. The next step is a conversation with someone who can help you decide whether a sleep study makes sense. A consultation with Dr. Holt is one straightforward way to do that. We’ll review your symptoms, your history, and help you understand your options.

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5 to 8 yes answers — High risk

Your responses suggest a high risk of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. This is worth taking seriously. Untreated sleep apnea raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and accidents, and it is likely affecting how you feel every day.

We recommend booking a consultation now. We will review your symptoms, your medical history, and help you arrange a sleep study with a partner sleep physician if you don’t already have one.

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This is a screening, not a diagnosis

The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a validated screening tool, but it cannot diagnose sleep apnea. Only a sleep physician can do that, through a sleep study. What this self-check does is help you decide whether a sleep study makes sense, and what to do next.

Dr. Holt doesn’t diagnose sleep apnea. He treats it, with custom oral appliance therapy, after a sleep physician confirms the diagnosis. If you are not sure where to start, the easiest first step is a consultation. We will help you figure out the path from there.

What to do next

Whatever your score, if something feels off, do something about it. A 30-minute consultation gets you a clear picture of where you stand and what your options are. You don’t need a referral. You don’t need a diagnosis. You just need to want better sleep.

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Treatment that fits your life.

Oral appliance therapy is the modern alternative to CPAP for many patients. Each treatment plan starts with a sleep physician's diagnosis, then Dr. Holt builds a custom device shaped to your mouth.

Oral Appliance Therapy

A small, custom-fit device worn at night. It holds the lower jaw slightly forward to keep your airway open. No mask, no hose, no machine noise. The standard of care for mild to moderate sleep apnea and a strong option for severe cases when CPAP fails.

CPAP Alternatives

If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea and your CPAP is collecting dust, you're not alone. Roughly half of patients abandon their machines within a year. An oral appliance is often the next step.

Snoring Treatment

Loud, persistent snoring is more than a nuisance. It can signal an underlying airway issue, and it costs the person next to you their sleep too. A custom appliance can quiet most snoring overnight.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Untreated sleep apnea raises your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and accidents. Treating it well can change how you feel every day. Dr. Holt's approach is co-managed with your sleep physician, from start to finish.

Stop wrestling with sleep apnea
If you snore loudly, wake up exhausted, or can't stand your CPAP, an oral appliance may be the answer. The first step is a conversation.