The Sleep Apnea-Diabetes Connection

If you suspect that you might have sleep apnea, the first thing you might want to do is check out a couple of questionnaires. The “Berlin Questionnaire” is the better known one. The best online version I’ve found is here.

Another one is the “Epworth Sleepiness Scale.” You can view it on the website of ResMed Corp. here.

ResMed is the leading manufacturer of the devices that treat sleep apnea. They are called positive airway pressure devices. They keep the airway open by gently delivering a stream of air through a small nasal mask or a so-called “pillows system.”

The most common device is the CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure device. More sophisticated are the APAP or automatic positive airway pressure device and the bilevel device.

In a subsequent article here I will write about my experience of getting treated for sleep apnea. In the two and one-half years since my diagnosis I have learned a few more things about it. I will share some of these tips here.