Sleep Apnea Study

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

The two most common types are:

• obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), caused by a blockage in the upper airway, and
• central sleep apnea (CSA), wherein the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Symptoms include:

• loud snoring,
• gasping for air during sleep,
• excessive daytime sleepiness, and
• morning headaches.

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and poor quality of life.

What Happens Sleep Apnea Study?

Sleep apnea is often diagnosed and managed in a sleep study clinic.

Sleep specialists, who may be pulmonologists, neurologists, or otolaryngologists with specialised training in sleep medicine lead the sleep apnea study.

The clinical team may also include:

• registered polysomnographic technologists (RPSGTs),
• respiratory therapists, and
• trained nurses who assist in conducting and interpreting the sleep studies.

Initial Assessment

During initial assessment, the healthcare provider reviews medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle factors.

Polysomnography (PSG)

After the initial assessment the sleep apnea study follows with a Polysomnography (PSG). This is usually conducted in a sleep clinic or laboratory. It is the gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea.

During this overnight test, the patient is connected to sensors that monitor:

• brain waves,
• breathing patterns,
• blood oxygen levels,
• eye movement, and
• muscle activity while they sleep.

The sleep specialist uses the data to determine the presence and severity of sleep apnea. And assess its impact on sleep quality.

Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT)

In cases where simpler evaluation is enough, the sleep specialist prescribes a HSAT. This is a portable test. It focuses primarily on breathing and oxygen levels during sleep. Being portable, it can be done in the comfort of the patient’s home.

Treatment Planning and CPAP/BiPAP Therapy

Once the sleep specialist analyses the sleep study results, they develop a treatment plan.

For patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or BiPAP (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure) devices are often prescribed.

More on CPAP and BiPAP treatment.

Follow-Up and Titration

Patients using CPAP or BiPAP may undergo a titration study to determine the optimal pressure settings.

Regular follow-ups are essential to:

• ensure compliance,
• troubleshoot issues, and
• check the treatment’s effectiveness.