Sleep Apnea Risk Assessment

STOP-BANG is a validated screening tool used by healthcare professionals to assess sleep apnea risk. It evaluates 8 factors: Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure, BMI, Age, Neck circumference, and Gender. Scores of 5+ indicate high risk, 3-4 moderate risk, and 0-2 low risk. This calculator is based on STOP-BANG principles.

The STOP-BANG questionnaire has high sensitivity (ability to detect sleep apnea when present), correctly identifying 90%+ of moderate-to-severe cases. However, it's a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. Only a sleep study (polysomnography) can definitively diagnose sleep apnea and determine its severity. This quiz helps identify who should pursue professional evaluation.

Untreated sleep apnea significantly increases risk of: high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease and heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression and cognitive impairment, accidents due to daytime sleepiness, and early mortality. The repeated oxygen drops and sleep fragmentation stress the cardiovascular system and metabolism. Treatment dramatically reduces these risks.

A sleep study (polysomnography) monitors brain waves, oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing, and body movements during sleep to diagnose sleep disorders. It can be done in a sleep lab (most accurate) or at home with portable equipment. If you score moderate-to-high risk on this quiz, have witnessed breathing pauses, or experience severe daytime sleepiness, a sleep study is recommended.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the gold-standard treatment for moderate-to-severe sleep apnea. A machine delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep your airway open during sleep. It's highly effective—most people see immediate improvement in symptoms. Modern CPAP machines are quiet, comfortable, and many models automatically adjust pressure. Compliance is key for benefits.

Weight loss can significantly improve or even resolve sleep apnea in many cases. Losing 10% of body weight can reduce apnea severity by 25-30%, and some people achieve complete remission with substantial weight loss. However, thin people can also have sleep apnea due to anatomy, and not everyone responds to weight loss alone. It's an important component but may need to be combined with other treatments.

Yes, alternatives include: oral appliances (mandibular advancement devices) that reposition the jaw, positional therapy (sleeping on your side), weight loss and lifestyle changes, surgery (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, jaw surgery, or implanted nerve stimulators like Inspire), and treating nasal congestion. Choice depends on apnea severity, anatomy, and personal factors. Consult a sleep specialist for personalized recommendations.

Sleep apnea rarely resolves spontaneously unless the underlying cause is addressed. Temporary factors like nasal congestion, alcohol use, or certain sleeping positions may worsen apnea and can be modified. However, anatomical factors (airway structure, obesity) typically require intervention. Without treatment, sleep apnea tends to persist or worsen over time, especially with aging and weight gain. Early treatment prevents complications.