by EBSCO Medical Review Board

Talk openly and often with your healthcare provider. It will help you make the best choices for your care.

Here are some tips that will help you talk to your doctor:

  • Bring someone with you. It helps to have another person hear what is said and think of questions to ask.
  • Write down your questions so you do not forget them.
  • Write down the answers you get. Make sure you grasp what you are hearing. Ask for help, if needed.
  • Do not be afraid to ask questions. Ask where you can learn more. You have a right to know.
  • Could my daytime sleepiness be from sleep apnea?
  • How do I get tested for it?
  • Will I need to see a specialist?
  • How can I or my sleep partner tell if I am having apnea episodes?
  • Is it safe for me to drive?
  • Is it safe for me to use heavy machinery?
  • Is it safe for me to do my usual activities?
  • Is sleep apnea the only reason for my symptoms? What else could be causing them?
  • Could I get sleep apnea from being overweight?
  • Do I have any risk factors?
  • Are there steps I can take to lower my risk?
  • Are there any medicines I can take?
  • Are there dental or orthodontic devices that might help me?
  • Do I need surgery to prevent health problems?
  • What are the success rates of the different types of surgery?
  • How much weight should I lose to lower my risk?
  • Which weight loss program is right for me?
  • Are there pillow systems to help me sleep on my side?
  • Should I stop drinking alcohol and using sedatives?
  • I smoke. Are there any programs that can help me quit?
  • What kinds of sleep apnea complications might I be at risk for?
  • Does sleep apnea stay the same or get worse?
  • How severe does sleep apnea have to be to cause serious complications?
  • What signs of complications should I watch for?

References

Central sleep apnea. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:  https://www.dynamed.com/condition/central-sleep-apnea . Accessed September 17, 2020.

Getting the most out of your doctor appointment. American Academy of Family Physicians Family Doctor website. Available at: https://familydoctor.org/tips-for-talking-to-your-doctor. Accessed September 17, 2020.

Greenstone M, Hack M. Obstructive sleep apnoea. BMJ. 2014 Jun 17;348:g3745.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:  https://www.dynamed.com/condition/obstructive-sleep-apnea-osa-in-adults . Accessed September 16, 2020.

Sleep apnea. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sleepapnea. Accessed September 16, 2020.

Sleep apnea information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Sleep-Apnea-Information-Page. Accessed September 16, 2020.

Snoring, sleeping disorders, and sleep apnea. ENThealth—American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery website. Available at: http://www.entnet.org/content/snoring-and-sleep-apnea. Accessed September 17, 2020.

What is sleep apnea? American Sleep Apnea Association website. Available at: https://www.sleepapnea.org/learn/sleep-apnea. Accessed September 16, 2020.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Kari Kassir, MD
  • Review Date: 03/2020
  • Update Date: 04/07/2021