There are two screening tests in use depending on which doctor you visit.

 Do you have someone telling you “you snore” or your throat is dry when you wake up in the morning? If you answered yes to either of these questions. Start here with the most common screening tests doctors use.

The first one is called the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the second one is STOP-BANG. 

Epworth Sleepiness Scale

Some time ago I partnered with a hospital that wanted to start a clinic to treat Sleep Apnea. Unfortunately for me, it was a free gig but it was fun for several years. We had to be able to get large numbers taken care of as quickly as possible. We used only the Epworth test. If it was a high score, they would move you into an Auto CPAP. The advantage to them doing it this way is twofold. First, they moved people through quickly, keeping the lawsuits down. No one could come back and say something like, “you didn’t treat me, and I got into a car accident.” Starting with the simple screening test first allowed them to use in-lab testing more judicially and save money. Remember this is a business. 

The second screening test is called STOP-BANG.   

The STOP-BANG test seems a little tilted towards men. It’s a newer screening test than the Epworth is, but both can be a good start. 

Now, what do you do?

Now if both of these simple screenings are giving you high numbers you need to make a decision. Take care of it yourself, get your doctor to take care of it, or do nothing at all and wait until you suffer a heart attack or stroke.

There are many reasons why you are tired. It could be the pharmaceuticals or the food you eat. 

I always suggest to my clients if they even have mild Sleep Apnea get on CPAP now. It doesn’t mean it’s forever but you cannot chase what else may be making you tired when you are tired. I’ll email you both tests and you can decide if you have something you need to go forward with.