If you snore loudly, feel tired during the day, or someone has noticed you stop breathing during sleep, you might have a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). OSA affects breathing during sleep and can lead to serious health issues if left untreated. At our Melbourne ENT clinics, Dr Stephen Kleid and Dr Simon Braham use a simple assessment tool called the STOP-BANG questionnaire to help find out whether you may be at risk.
This quick screening tool is important for identifying patients who might benefit from a Medicare-funded sleep study in Australia and other solutions – surgical and non-surgical.
STOP-BANG is a validated screening tool used globally to assess a person’s risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. It’s widely accepted by GPs, ENT specialists, sleep physicians, and Medicare providers. Each letter in STOP-BANG represents a different risk factor:
The next four are additional risk indicators:
You answer each question with “Yes” or “No” — and then tally the total score.
Each “Yes” answer counts as one point. The total score ranges from 0 to 8.
If you score 3 or more, your doctor may recommend a formal sleep study. If you score 5 or more, you are considered at high risk for moderate to severe OSA, and a Medicare-funded sleep study may be available to you with the appropriate referral.
Sleep apnoea is more than just snoring. It can affect your memory, mood, concentration, and long-term heart health. When your body stops breathing during sleep, your oxygen levels drop — putting strain on your heart and brain. This can lead to:
Many patients don’t even know they have it — their bed partner or family members are often the first to notice.
As ENT surgeons, Dr Kleid and Dr Braham are skilled in identifying structural causes of airway obstruction. These might include:
Depending on your condition and sleep study results, we may recommend:
Yes — if you meet the criteria, your ENT specialist or GP can refer you for a home-based or hospital sleep study that may be bulk billed through Medicare.
To qualify, patients typically need:
You can print out the STOP-BANG form and fill it in before your visit. Bring the completed questionnaire to your consultation.
Name: ………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………..… Age: ………
Height: …………………….. Weight: ……………………..
Tick “Yes” or “No” for each:
TOTAL SCORE: ………………..…
If you’re concerned about your sleep or score high on the STOP-BANG test, talk to your GP or ask our team for an ENT surgeon consultation. We can guide you through the process, assess your airway, and refer you for testing if needed.
It’s a short screening tool used to assess your risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). Each letter stands for a different risk factor: Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnoeas, high blood Pressure, BMI, Age, Neck size, and Gender.
This tool helps your doctor determine whether a sleep study is appropriate. It’s especially useful for deciding if you meet Medicare’s eligibility for a bulk-billed sleep study in Australia.
A score of 5 or more indicates a high risk of moderate to severe sleep apnoea. You may be referred for a diagnostic sleep study.
Yes. It’s a self-reported questionnaire that takes less than two minutes. You can fill it out before your consultation and bring it with you.
Your ENT specialist or GP may recommend a sleep study — either in a sleep lab or at home — to confirm a diagnosis of OSA.
When a nasendoscope is inserted into your nose, you will not feel any pain. However, you may feel a little pressure or some discomfort. Your eyes might start to water and you may feel like you wanna cough.
When a nasendoscope is inserted into your nose, you will not feel any pain. However, you may feel a little pressure or some discomfort. Your eyes might start to water and you may feel like you wanna cough.
A sleep study, or polysomnography, records your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep stages overnight. It helps diagnose sleep disorders such as OSA.
Yes, in many cases. If you meet certain criteria — including a STOP-BANG score of 3 or more — your sleep study may be Medicare-funded with a valid referral.
Common signs include loud snoring, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, waking with a dry mouth or headache, and being told you stop breathing during sleep.
When a nasendoscope is inserted into your nose, you will not feel any pain. However, you may feel a little pressure or some discomfort. Your eyes might start to water and you may feel like you wanna cough.
A Body Mass Index (BMI) over 35 increases the risk of OSA because excess tissue around the neck can narrow the airway during sleep.
When a nasendoscope is inserted into your nose, you will not feel any pain. However, you may feel a little pressure or some discomfort. Your eyes might start to water and you may feel like you wanna cough.
A neck size over 40 cm (16 inches) may indicate a narrower airway, which raises the risk of breathing interruptions during sleep.
No. While snoring is a common symptom, not all snorers have OSA. That’s why further screening with STOP-BANG and a sleep study may be needed.
Yes. While those are common risk factors, OSA can affect people of all body types and ages — especially if other symptoms are present.
Treatment may include lifestyle changes, CPAP therapy, dental appliances, or surgery to remove obstructions in the nose or throat. Your ENT specialist will tailor a plan to your needs.
In selected cases, yes. Surgery can improve airflow by addressing nasal blockages, enlarged tonsils, or palate issues. Your ENT surgeon will assess if this is suitable for you.
Contact us to book an appointment with Dr Stephen Kleid or Dr Simon Braham. We’re here to help you breathe better, sleep better, and live better.