Sleep Quizzes...what they can do, what they can't do! - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

bethsheba · 02-27-2008, 11:07 AM

Often, when I suspect someone has a problem with sleep, I suggest they take a self sleep quiz, a self sleep questionaire, or a self sleep assessment to see if they may have sleep problems which may be elevating their hypertension.

These self tests are usually quick to take and have from 5-25 or so questions...some tests look at sleepiness ("Do you fall asleep in front of the TV?"), some look at quality of life issues (Do you ever feel that you lack the energy to do things you enjoy?"), some look at mental health issues ("Do you experience anxiety or depression? Are you short tempered?"), and some look at other health conditions (Do you have asthma, acid reflux, diabetes, hypertension and/or cardiovascular disease?"), and more extensive tests contain many different components.

When you take these tests, keep in mind that if you have none of the symptoms on the test, it does not mean that you do not have a problem with sleep!!

And on the other hand, if you have one or more of the symptoms, it does not mean that you do have a problem with sleep!!

All these tests can do is suggest you see a board certified sleep specialist if you have some symptoms of a sleep problem. Keep in mind that some people have mild sleep conditions that may not need to be monitored or treated...while other people may have very serious sleep conditions that may be life threatening and require immediate treatment. Some people (like me) have no symptoms or only mild symptoms...other people's symptoms are blatantly obvious (they wake up in the middle of the night with their heart pounding, gasping for breath or their bedmate notices they stop breathing for periods of time when they sleep).

The only way to actually diagnose a sleep disorder is for a board certified sleep specialist to order a sleep study and to evaluate the results. Because this can be very expensive and time consuming, doctors do as much screening as possible (the sleep specialist performs a visual examination of the ears, throat, and nose; the patient fills out a sleep log over the course of 2 or more weeks; and have the patient completes a sleep questionaire answering questions about sleep habits, health history, medications, behavior, etc. (the one I filled out was about 12 pages long).

So...to make a long story short:

A self sleep assessment/quiz/profile is a tool to help you identify sleep problems that you may not be aware of and it "may" suggest you seek the opinion of a board certified sleep specialist.

A self sleep assessment/quiz/profile is not conclusive and should not take the place of medical advice.

A self sleep assessment/quiz/profile is a useful tool and can be used to support your argument if you think/would like to be evaluated further for sleep problems.

Bethsheba

tamuprof45 · 02-27-2008, 12:53 PM

I would add yet another weird self-test...I found this online, and cannot post the link due to policy, and honestly I forget the name of the test.

But I can describe it: doctors look into your open mouth at the size of the "gap" in the abck of your throat where the uvula hangs down. They then grade the "size of the gap" in 4 sizes, from 1-4, with each larger grade increasing the probability that you have have obstructive sleep apnea. The web site I found ecen has pictures of grades 1-4!!!

Now you can check in the mirror yourself...the "gap" is the black space in the back behind your tongue.

I find this really fascinating, and it also makes sense as well.

tamuprof45

tamuprof45 · 02-27-2008, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamuprof45

I would add yet another weird self-test...I found this online, and cannot post the link due to policy, and honestly I forget the name of the test.

But I can describe it: doctors look into your open mouth at the size of the "gap" in the abck of your throat where the uvula hangs down. They then grade the "size of the gap" in 4 sizes, from 1-4, with each larger grade increasing the probability that you have have obstructive sleep apnea. The web site I found ecen has pictures of grades 1-4!!!

Now you can check in the mirror yourself...the "gap" is the black space in the back behind your tongue.

I find this really fascinating, and it also makes sense as well.

tamuprof45

Ooops, I meant to say the SMALLER the gap, the larger the grade. So grade "1" means your gap is large and the chances of a throat obstruction are minimal, and so forth. Sorry for the confusion.

tamuprof45

bethsheba · 02-27-2008, 01:21 PM

Tamuprof,

I find it interesting, too! I didn't realize they had that "test" but I'm sure that's exactly what a sleep specialist would look for as a part of the examination.

Do keep in mind, though, that when sleep specialists look at the ears, nose, and throat, they are looking for "evidence" of OBSTRUCTIVE sleep apnea...which means something may be blocking the airway during sleep...people with obstructive sleep apnea "sometimes" snore...but not always.

There is also another kind of sleep apnea but it doesn't involve an obstruction of the airways...so one could have a perfectly formed/sized "gap" but they could still have sleep apnea! This type of apea is called "central" apnea and occurs because the brain doesn't remind the respiratory system to "breath"...the person just stops breathing until the brain and the heart run low on oxygen and wake up the body so it will take a breath. This isn't very common...but I have it (along with my obstructive apnea) and others I have met have it, too...so although it may not be common, I don't think it is rare! I believe I have experienced this type of apnea when I was awake.

Anyway, I mention central apnea because it can elevate blood pressure, too. And the only way to know if you have central apnea, versus obstructive apnea, would be to have a sleep study done.

Hope I haven't confused anyone.

Bethsheba

tamuprof45 · 02-27-2008, 01:48 PM

Correct on the two types of sleep apnea. The "central" one (and you have done more reading on this than I) appears to be a result of a prior history of health problems, often quite serious ones.

I would assume in people without such a history, the obstructive sort is the one to look for. But its nice to know there are various easy ways to check, and at least see if you should be concerned. I'm relieved I made a "1" on the throat-gap grade! I do have a problem with slightly enlarged turbinates in one sinus, which is annoying as hell, but so far has not affected my sleep TOO much. I will probably opt to have them laser-burned at some point.

tamuprof45