Referral
If you think you may have sleep apnoea then you should discuss
this with your GP, as they will be able to refer you for further
assessment.
In assisting the GP making the referral, it is important you
highlight certain things, so when making the referral, the sleep
service can assess you appropriately. These include -
- Reported loud snoring - take a mobile phone recording with you
or take your partner with you
- Choking or gasping for breath when asleep
- Waking up unrefreshed in the morning
- Struggling to stay awake in the daytime
- Waking up to go to the toilet during the night
- Memory impairment
- Occupation - this is essential if you drive for a living or
have a job where concentration is essential (Air Traffic
Controller)
You GP will link this into you current medical history. If this
includes being overweight or obese, being treated for hypertension,
you have type 2 diabetes, abnormal heart rhythms, hypothyroidism,
then these risk factors and any others should be communicated to
the sleep team, by the GP.