When should I call my doctor if I have sleep apnea?

Call your doctor if:

• You or your bed partner snores loudly and heavily and feels sleepy during the day.
• You notice that your bed partner stops breathing, gasps or chokes during sleep.
• You sometimes fall asleep at inappropriate times, such as while you are talking or eating.
• Your child snores, has trouble breathing while sleeping, sleeps restlessly, wakes up often and is very sleepy during the day.

Watchful waiting - Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If you get better on your own, you will not need treatment. If you get worse, you and your doctor will decide what to do next. Watchful waiting may be right for you if you snore but are not excessively sleepy during the day.

Watchful waiting may not be right if you notice that your sleep partner snores loudly and heavily, is restless during sleep and is sleepy during the day. If you think your sleep partner may have periods when breathing stops, suggest that he or she talk with a doctor.

Who to see - Health professionals who can check people who have symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Family medicine physicians.
• Internists.
• Sleep disorders specialists.
• Pediatricians.
• Nurse practitioners.
• Physician assistants.

Other health professionals may be able to help you if you have other problems that are caused by sleep apnea. If you:

• Have heart problems, you may see a cardiologist.
• Need surgery to remove excess tissue or to correct a defect or injury, you may see an ear, nose and throat doctor (otolaryngologist).
• Need oral breathing devices, you may see a dentist.