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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

If it's suspected that you have sleep apnea, you're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a sleep specialist.

Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as modify your diet.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
  • Ask a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot. And because your bed partner may be more aware of your symptoms than you are, it may help to have him or her along.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you make the most of your visit. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For sleep apnea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
  • Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
  • Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover seeing a specialist?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine or product you're prescribing me?
  • Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Your doctor may ask:

  • When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
  • Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime

  • Try to sleep on your side. Most forms of sleep apnea are milder when you sleep on your side.
  • Avoid alcohol close to bedtime. Alcohol worsens obstructive and complex sleep apnea.
  • If you're drowsy, avoid driving. If you have sleep apnea you may be abnormally sleepy, which can put you at higher risk of motor vehicle accidents. At times, a close friend or family member might tell you that you appear sleepier than you feel. If this is true, try to avoid driving at all.
Tests and diagnosis Complications
References
  1. What is sleep apnea? National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sleep_apnea/sleep_apnea.htm. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  2. What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_Signs.html. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  3. Kline LR. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  4. What is sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_WhatIs.html. Accessed April 1, 2010.
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  6. Who is at risk for sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_WhoIsAtRisk.html. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  7. Feinsilver SH. Sleep apnea in the elderly. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  8. Ropper AH, et al. Sleep and its abnormalities: Introduction. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams and Victor's Neurology. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3633173. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  9. Culebras A. Sleep related breathing disorders and stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  10. Punjabi NM, et al. Sleep-disordered breathing and mortality: A prospective cohort study. PLoS Medicine. 2009;6:e1000132. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2722083/pdf/pmed.1000132.pdf. Accessed March 31, 2010.
  11. In brief: Your guide to healthy sleep. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/healthy_sleep.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  12. 12. Brain basics: Understanding sleep. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  13. Treatment options for adults with obstructive sleep apnea. American Sleep Apnea Association. http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/pubs/treatment.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
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  15. Understanding sleep apnea: Know all of the facts. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.sleepeducation.com/ArticlePrinterFriendly.aspx?id=21&DType=0. Accessed April 10, 2010.
  16. How is sleep apnea treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_Treatments.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  17. Kryger MH. Management of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  18. Considering surgery for OSA? American Sleep Apnea Association. http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/pubs/osa.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  19. Badr MS. Central sleep apnea syndrome: Treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  20. Freire AO, et al. Treatment of moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with acupuncture: A randomised, placebo-controlled pilot trial. Sleep Medicine. 2007;8:43.
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DS00148 June 29, 2010

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