The first thing your healthcare provider will do is ask you about your sleep habits and health history. He or she may also review your medications because some can affect how you breathe while sleeping. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam, including an assessment of your face and throat for anything that might narrow your airway. He or she will also look for anything else that might increase your risk of obstructive sleep apnea, such as enlarged tonsils, a small jaw, or obesity.

People with obstructive sleep apnea have trouble breathing repeatedly during their sleep. This happens because the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much and collapse the airway, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs. It can also cause choking or gasping sounds while you are asleep, which can wake you up and disrupt your sleep pattern.

What is Sleep Apnea and How Can It Affect Your Health

What is sleep apnea can also affect how well you feel during the day. It can lead to a low level of oxygen in the blood and can increase your risk for heart problems and stroke. It can also lead to high blood pressure, which makes it harder for your body to get enough oxygen.

Your healthcare provider may recommend a sleep study at home or at a sleep center. This test involves wearing sensors around your head and body connected by wires that send information to a computer. It can measure your heart rate, breath patterns, arm and leg movement, and your oxygen levels while you’re sleeping. It’s more accurate than a portable device you can use at home, and it can provide the information your provider needs to diagnose sleep apnea.