Questions to Ask Your Doctor about OSA

Home » Questions to Ask Your Doctor about OSA » Patient Information about OSA

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which breathing stops frequently throughout sleep, often for as long as a minute. OSA causes the sleeper to wake up briefly at each episode, interrupting continual sleep, interfering with important deep-sleep stages of slumber, and increasing the risk for several medical conditions and complications. Sleep apnea may increase the risk for heart disease and related conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, and congestive heart failure (CHF).

Download/Print this page (PDF)

Here are some questions to ask your doctor about obstructive sleep apnea. Print this page, mark the questions you would like to have answered, and bring it with you to your next appointment. The more you know about OSA, the easier it will be to make informed decisions treatment and prevent complications.

• Why do you suspect I have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?
• What might be the cause for my sleep apnea?
• What are the primary risk factors for OSA?
• What are the common signs and symptoms of OSA?
• Are there complications associated with obstructive sleep apnea? If so, what are the signs of these complications?
• How will you make a definitive diagnosis of OSA?
• Will I undergo polysomnography? If so, what does this procedure involve?
• How should I prepare for this test?
• What are the consequences of untreated sleep apnea?
• What type of OSA treatment do you recommend? Why do you recommend this treatment?
• What are the risks, benefits, and possible complications associated with this type of treatment?
• What are the side effects of this treatment and signs that my OSA is worsening?
• What should I do if I experience severe side effects?
  Telephone number to call:


Advertising Disclaimer
• How will my OSA be monitored during treatment?
• What is the usual prognosis once treatment has begun?
• If treatment is unsuccessful, might surgery be used to treat my OSA? If so, what will this procedure involve?
• What are the benefits, risks, and possible complications of this surgery?
• Are there any lifestyle changes that might help to reduce or eliminate OSA symptoms?
• Is obstructive sleep apnea a chronic condition, or can it be cured?
• Can you recommend a local or online support group for people with OSA or a resource for further information about sleep apnea?
• Do you recommend that I participate in a clinical trial for patients who have OSA? Why or why not?
• Next appointment:
  Doctor: Date: Time:

© 1998-2010 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about OSA Resources

	Join Our OSA Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer