sleep apneaSelf-Test
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Frequently feeling extremely sleepy during the day, and having difficulty resisting the urge to sleep even in situations that are not suitable for naps, may not just be fatigue, butObstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)warning.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common but often neglected disease with symptoms such asRepeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep, causing brief breathing arrest, which in turn affects sleep quality and daytime mental state.
Long-term neglect mayIncreased risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, and even affect daily life and work performance.
What is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)?
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a simple and effective self-assessment tool that measures the likelihood of dozing off in different everyday situations.
This test is widely used in clinical practice to help doctors quickly determine whether patients have abnormal daytime sleepiness and whether they may suffer from sleep disorders such as OSA.
The ESS scale includes8 daily life situations, based on your experience over the past period of time, please assess your probability of dozing off in these situations:
| context | 0 points | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. When sitting and reading | Won't | a little | Moderate | Severe |
| 2. When watching TV | Won't | a little | Moderate | Severe |
| 3. Sit quietly in public | Won't | a little | Moderate | Severe |
| 4. Riding in a car for more than one hour (excluding driving by yourself) | Won't | a little | Moderate | Severe |
| 5. When you lie down to rest in the afternoon | Won't | a little | Moderate | Severe |
| 6. When sitting and talking with others | Won't | a little | Moderate | Severe |
| 7. When sitting quietly after lunch without drinking | Won't | a little | Moderate | Severe |
| 8. When driving and the car stops at a red light | Won't | a little | Moderate | Severe |
Please add up the scores of all questions based on the above choices to get your sleepiness level score.
And refer to the information below to assess whether you may have sleep apnea.
＊ Please note that the ESS scale can only be used as an assessment reference. If you want to accurately diagnose the disease, you still need to see a doctor for diagnosis.
What does a high score mean? Why should we pay attention?
Total score > 8 points
Sleepiness requires a sleep test
Total score > 10 points
Very sleepy
Total score > 16 points
Dangerous sleepiness
ifYour ESS score is over 8, which means you are at higher risk for daytime sleepiness., and this sleepiness may be related to problems such as sleep apnea and poor sleep quality.
Especially if you don't stay up late, overwork or drink alcohol, but still often feel drowsy during the day, you should pay more attention to your sleep health.
Long-term daytime sleepiness not only affects the quality of life, but may also lead to decreased work efficiency, increased driving risks, and even an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
What to do next?
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is only a screening tool and cannot be used as a diagnostic standard. If your score is higher than 8 points, or you have symptoms such as severe snoring, frequent awakenings at night, morning headaches, extreme daytime fatigue, etc., it is recommended that you go to a professional medical institution for further examination.
Fenghua Joint Clinic provides a complete assessment and treatment plan for sleep apnea, including professional sleep testing, orthognathic surgery evaluation, etc., to help you effectively improve symptoms, improve sleep quality and healthier life.
