Are You at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

In previous articles, I spoke about how Sleep Apnea is a serious medical condition that may lead to circulatory, coronary, and pulmonary conditions up to and including death.  Some people have asked me if there is a way to see if they are at risk for sleep apnea before going for a sleep study. I came across an interesting method for finding the probability of sleep apnea by measuring neck size.

Measure your neck size in centimeters (# of inches times 2.5 = centimeters)
Add 4cm if you have High Blood Pressure (treated or not)
Add 3cm if you snore.
Add 3cm if you choke or gasp during your sleep.

If your total is: less than 43 you have a low probability of Sleep Apnea
        

43 – 48 you have an Intermediate Probability
        Greater that 48 you have a high probability

For example:  You have a neck size of 18 inches, you also snore, have high blood pressure and someone has witnessed you gasping during sleep.
  

 Neck size is 18 times 2.5 = 45 centimeters
    Add 4 for blood pressure
    Add 3 for snoring
    Add 3 for gasping
    Total = 55 Therefore you have a high probability of having Sleep Apnea.  

Please check with your physician now!
While this measurement can give you an idea of your relative risk, it is not diagnostic.  Only a true sleep study is.  There are many people that have low risk, but still have sleep apnea.  This measurement gives you just the relative probability of having sleep apnea.

What is interesting is that you don’t have to be overweight and out of shape to be at risk.  Many highly trained athletes have sleep apnea and don’t know it.  A recent study done with retired NFL players, found that 51.5% had Sleep Breathing Disorders (SBD) 37% had hypertension and 6% had Diabetes.   Other studies have even shown a high number of currently active athletes suffering from SBDs.  Reggie White is the most famous athlete that died from complications of sleep apnea, but there are many others.

Proper sleep is very important for your health as well as quality of life.  If you or someone you know may have sleep breathing disorder, it pays to treat it.  More than just the health risks, you feel much better when you sleep well.

For more information please go to www.SleepApneaNJ.net and www.CentralNJ.IHateCPAP.com

  Please send any questions that you would like answered in future issues or comments to me at: The Journal at PO Box 432 Colts Neck, NJ 07722 or email them to me at Mike@DrBixby.com. Your name will not be used in the article. This article is meant for informational purposes only. Please contact your dentist or our office, if you desire dental advice.
 

Michael J. Bixby, DMD, FAGD is a General, Cosmetic and Neuromuscular/TMJ Dentist, practicing at the Atlantic Center for Advanced Dentistry in Little Silver.  He can be reached at: 732-224-1160, Mike@DrBixby.com or www.CosmeticDentists-NJ.com