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Is Snoring Affecting Your Overall Health?

stop snoring austin txAs time has gone by the medical literature has become clear that snoring is not just a hassle for the bed partner. It has now been shown that it is related to many common medical illnesses. Hypertension, heart attack, abnormal heart rhythm, diabetes, weight gain, and other illnesses are more common in people that snore. Often times the snoring is part of a more serious condition called apnea where the patient actually stops breathing intermittently while sleeping. The best advice if you or your bed partner snore is to have a sleep study to clearly evaluate the condition and it’s severity. Fortunately, this sleep study can now be performed with great accuracy and convenience in your own bed using a home sleep test (HST). Take the time to get your snoring evaluated by an expert not just for bed partner satisfaction but for your longterm health.

Take the Epworth Sleepiness Scale Test!

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a questionnaire developed by Dr. Murray Johns of Melbourne to measure daytime sleepiness.

How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations, in contrast to feeling just tired? This refers to your usual way of life in recent times. Even if you have not done some of these things recently try to work out how they would have affected you. Use the following scale to choose the most appropriate number for each situation:

0 = no chance of dozing
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing

SITUATION CHANCE OF DOZING
Sitting and reading ____________
Watching TV ____________
Sitting inactive in a public place (e.g a theater or a meeting) ____________
As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break ____________
Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit ____________
Sitting and talking to someone ____________
Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol ____________
In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic ____________

RESULT:

Less than 10:   You are most likely getting enough sleep

However, if you have noticed a change in your normal sleep routine, you may want to discuss this with your doctor.
10 – 16 Your may be suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness

You should see you Doctor to determine the cause of your sleepiness and possible treatment.
16+   You are dangerously sleepy!

It is imperative that you see your Doctor to determine the cause of your sleepiness, and to investigate treatment as soon as possible.

Contact us today to book a consultation with Dr. Daniel Slaughter.

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Posted in: Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Home Sleep Test, Sleep Apnea, Snoring

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