Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder in which an individual repeatedly stops and starts breathing during sleep. Symptoms include daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, and restless sleep. A sleep study or polysomnography (PSG) is an overnight sleep test that records the activity of the brain and body while you sleep. Sleep Studies diagnose sleep disorders such as Sleep Apnea in adults and children.
Lung function tests (also called pulmonary function tests) include a variety of tests that check how well your lungs work. The most basic test is spirometry. This test measures the amount of air your lungs can hold and how quickly you can move air in and out of your lungs. These tests can find lung problems, measure how serious they are, and check to see how well treatment for a lung disease is working.
There are several types of sleep apnea, but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep and the amount of air reaching your lungs is limited. This causes breathing to become shallow and even stop for seconds or minutes at a time, depriving the body and brain of oxygen. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring.
Excessive daytime sleepiness, Loud snoring, Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep, Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking, Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat, Morning headaches, Difficulty concentrating during the day, Experiencing mood changes (such as depression or irritability), High blood pressure, Nighttime sweating, Decreased libido.
A sleep test is the best way to diagnose sleep apnea. A polysomnogram usually requires that you stay overnight in a hospital or a sleep study center. The test lasts for an entire night. While you sleep, the polysomnogram will measure the activity of different organ systems associated with sleep.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the first line of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP is administered through a facemask that’s worn at night. The facemask gently delivers positive airflow to keep the airways open at night. The positive airflow props the airways open. CPAP is a highly effective treatment for sleep apnea.
Do you snore? • Are you always tired? • Are you unable to concentrate?
Cecille van Gent provides services in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea using an in-lab sleep study or a home-based sleep apnea testing as well as Pulmonary Function Tests.
