Here are some samples of information which may be helpful for you to think about as you write your question.
Insomnia questions | Sleepiness questions | Snoring and sleep apnea questions | CPAP and BIPAP equipment problems | Pediatric questions
INSOMNIA
Do you have difficulty falling asleep?
Do you wake up during the night many times but fall back to sleep quickly?
Do you wake up during the night and have difficulty getting back to sleep easily?
Do you wake up earlier than you need to for work/school and have difficulty getting back to sleep?
Have you been told that you snore.?
How many hours sleep do you think you get on most nights?
Do you sometimes notice trouble breathing or gasping for air when you awaken during the night?
How many beverages with caffeine do you drink within the 12 hours before bedtime?
What time do you get into bed?
How long does it take to fall asleep?
What time do you get out of bed in the morning to begin your day?
Are there any environmental factors which may disrupt your sleep such as snoring or restlessness from a bedpartner, animals, children, TV or radio or lights on during the night etc.?
Discuss any habits you have before bedtime such as working physically or mentally right up to bedtime, exercising in the evening etc.
If you smoke, state how much you smoke each day and what time you finish smoking before bedtime?
What do you do when you cannot sleep and what have you tried to help you sleep better?
How do you feel during the day e.g. awake and alert most of the time, sleepy and dragging most of the time etc.
SNORING AND SLEEP APNEA QUESTION
How many years ago did someone first mention that you snored?
What was your weight a few years before you were first told that you snore?
Do you have nasal congestion frequently at night?
Do you snore in all positions?
How much alcohol do you drink during the 6 hours before bedtime?
How much do you smoke?
What have you tried to do to correct the snoring and was it helpful?
Has anyone noticed you having pauses in your breathing or a snorting sound while you are sleeping?
Do you ever awaken with a gasping or choking sensation or feeling that you can’t breathe?
Were your tonsils removed?
Have you had any surgery on your throat or jaw, or injuries to your facial bones or jaw?
Do you feel excessively sleepy during the daytime?
EXCESSIVE SLEEPINESS
Do you feel rested and alert shortly after awakening to begin your day?
Do you think you are sleepy or just lacking energy (tired)?
How many hours of sleep do you usually get in an average night?
Do you feel that your sleep is solid or poor quality?
If you think it is poor quality, please explain why.
Do you snore?
Do you feel sleepy all day or only at certain times of the day or in certain circumstances?
Do you fall asleep while driving?
Do you fall asleep during conversations?
Do you fall asleep at work or school?
Do you fall asleep unintentionally during quiet activities such as reading or watching TV?
Do you think you are more sleepy than other people around you
At what age do you think the excessive sleepiness started?
Are other members of your family excessively sleepy?
Do you have uncontrollable sleep attacks?
Do you ever feel that your knees are buckling or develop a weak feeling when you are laughing hard or in a highly emotional state?
Have other people noticed that you are excessively sleepy and for how long have they noticed?
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) and BIPAP (Bilevel positive airway pressure) and considered the gold standard for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
Many people have problems using them because of very simple technical issues which can easily be resolved with proper education. I have nearly 20 years of managing patients with CPAP and BIPAP. Equipment should be periodically replaced and this is generally covered by health insurance.
Some common problems people encounter with CPAP and BIPAP use include:
Dry mouth or nasal dryness
Awakening with a gasping sensation even though the CPAP/BIPAP mask is still on.
Pulling it off while asleep unknowingly
Feeling claustrophobic
Feeling that the pressure is too high
Feeling that the pressure is too low
Problems with too much or too little humidity
Abdominal bloating or passing gas or burping a lot in the morning after using CPAP
Opening the mouth during sleep with the CPAP on
Someone still hearing snoring even though the mask is on
The mask feeling uncomfortable or leaving marks on the face
PEDIATRIC QUESTION
Most young children do not experience excessive sleepiness during the daytime hours once they have stopped taking naps. The more common problems with young children are struggles at bedtime or awakenings during the night with difficulty getting back to sleep. Adolescents commonly experience insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness. There are developmental and circadian factors which contribute to these difficulties.
Please be sure to state your child’s age, height and weight in your question.
Is it difficult for your child to fall asleep?
Once your child falls asleep does he or she awaken during the night and need interaction with you in order to go back to sleep?
What does it usually require in order to get your child back to sleep?
If your child has a bedtime routine, please describe it.
If your child does not have a bedtime routine, please describe the type of activities he or she participates in during the two hours before bedtime.
What is your child’s bedtime?
Who does your child sleep with and where?
How long does it usually take your child to fall asleep?
What time does your child awaken in the morning to begin the day?
Does your child nap during the day or fall asleep at inappropriate or undesirable times?
Does your child have unusual behaviors such as sleep walking, night terrors or confusion, abnormal movements, frequent leg kicking, etc.
Does your child snore or have you witnessed any gasping for air or struggling to breathe?
Does your child seem to sleep in unusual positions or postures?
When did the sleep problem begin?
Does your child take any medication or have any chronic medical illnesses?
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