Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

An overnight sleep study is used to diagnose sleep apnea. Sleep studies are non-invasive, painless tests that measure how well you sleep and how your body responds to sleep problems. During a sleep study a medical device is used to record the number of sleep disordered breathing events that occur.

There are two types of sleep studies:

Anin-lab polysomnogram (PSG)typically takes place at a sleep lab located in a clinic or hospital. The patient has sensors attached to the scalp, face, chest, limbs, and finger which are used by the staff to monitor the patient throughout the night.

A home sleep test (HST) is a device that measures many of the same physiological channels as an in-lab polysomnogram but is performed by the patient in the comfort of their own home.

In a majority of cases, a home sleep test is the preferred method for diagnosing sleep apnea. This is due to significantly lower costs, shorter average wait times until the test can be performed, less geographical restrictions, and a higher level of convenience when compared to an in-lab polysomnogram. 

Diagnosing & Treating

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Treatment Options

Once sleep apnea is diagnosed, effective treatment is necessary to help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. There are multiple treatment options with the best choice depending largely on the severity of sleep apnea as well as the individual person.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy uses a device which supplies a prescribed amount of air pressure that keeps the airway open during sleep by gently blowing air into the throat through a small, comfortable mask. This is the most common treatment option and is recommended for most individuals with moderate to severe forms of sleep apnea. When these devices were first introduced they were bulky and offered as few as two types of masks to choose from. Today, CPAP machines are much more compact, quiet, and comfortable while offering dozens of mask choices.

An Oral Appliance (OA), sometimes called a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD), is a custom fit mouthpiece that pushes the jaw forward which in turn helps to keep the airway open during sleep. This type of treatment can be used when CPAP therapy is not tolerated by the patient and is suitable for individuals with mild sleep apnea.

There are Surgical Treatments for sleep apnea, however this is usually only used after all other treatment options are exhausted as it is quite invasive and expensive. The type of surgery depends on the individual patient and is typically performed by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist).