Sleep is important. Not only does it help prevent weight gain and dementia, it’s listed in almost every “how-to-live-longer” list. If you are overweight, you are at a higher risk of sleep apnea; however, even those who are thin can have it, particularly if they have a small jawline. What is the screening test?
Sleep Apnea Screening Test
It is called the STOP BANG test:
- S = SNORING. Do you snore loudly? Can it be heard through closed doors or over talking?
- T = TIRED. Do you wake up feeling tired? Are you sleepy during the day? That is an indication you aren’t getting restful sleep.
- O = OBSERVED. Has anyone told you that you stopped breathing while you slept?
- P = PRESSURE. Do you have high blood pressure?
- B = BMI. A BMI over 35 is considered obese, and has a higher risk of developing sleep apnea.
- A = AGE. If you’re over the age of 50, you get a point.
- N = NECK. Is your neck thicker? A neck over 40cm is considered a point.
- G = GENDER. Sorry boys, but being male gets you a point.
TOTAL YOUR SCORE. If you have a score over 5, you have a high chance of having sleep apnea. It is good for you to see a sleep specialist who can do a sleep study to help evaluate your risk. You may need a CPAP machine or other support.
How Can Biohackr Health Help?
If your issue is weight, we can help you with weight loss. Particularly for those with a BMI over 30, weight loss has been shown to help in multiple areas: heart disease, diabetes risk, dementia, and sleep.
- Read our blogs on semaglutide and tirzepatide.
- See our information page on weight loss, which includes hormone support.
- Our probiotic, which helps with glucose control.
- NAD may help.