Why screen for sleep apnoea before treating poor sleep?

Obstructive sleep apnoea is common, frequently undiagnosed, and presents as unrefreshing sleep and daytime fatigue — the same complaint that prompts most requests for a sleep medication. Sedating medication can worsen it. It also carries cardiovascular and metabolic consequences that treating the symptom would leave unaddressed. Screening first is why a proper evaluation is worth more than a prescription.