Potential symptoms of sleep apnoea that a patient may report
If a dentist suspects the possibility of sleep apnoea based on the signs observed during a dental examination (see previous page), they should ask ten follow-up questions to gather more information about possible sleep apnoea symptoms:
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Do you snore loudly or frequently? If so, has anyone ever mentioned that you stop breathing or gasp for air during sleep?
- Do you often feel excessively tired or sleepy during the day, even after a full night's sleep?
- Have you ever woken up suddenly due to choking, gasping, or a sensation of not being able to breathe?
- Do you experience frequent morning headaches or wake up with a sore throat or dry mouth?
- Have you noticed any difficulty concentrating or memory problems during the day?
- Do you have a history of high blood pressure or any heart-related problems?
- Have you ever been told that you kick or move your legs a lot during sleep?
- Do you have a family history of sleep apnoea or sleep-related breathing disorders?
- Have you experienced any changes in your weight, especially recent weight gain or obesity?
- Do you have any difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or do you wake up frequently throughout the night?
The dentist can gather more information about the patient's sleep habits and symptoms that might indicate sleep apnoea, which could warrant a referral to a sleep specialist for further evaluation.