SLEEP APNEA TEST

Acheiving A Good Night’s Sleep

A sleep apnea test could be important! Why? Well, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that 90% of Americans who suffer from sleep apnea don’t know they even have it.  They’re left being unable to explain a number of symptoms, such as feeling irritable, high blood pressure or a dry mouth when awaking. Their partner may also have noticed other symptoms while the sufferer slept. All these, and many more, can indicate that the person is suffering from sleep apnea.

Because the sufferer is asleep when the symptoms of sleep apnea affect them, it’s impossible for them to know whether they are suffering from sleep apnea or not. This means a sleep apnea test needs to be done.

To perform a sleep apnea test, a machine is used called a polysomnograph. This will monitor the sufferer over the course of a night’s sleep. The sleep aphea test results will then show the following:

	Brain Waves
	Heart Rate & Rhythm
	Eye Movements
	Blood Oxygen Levela
	Body Movements
	Respiratory Activity

The sleep apnea test can either be performed at a sleep apnea clinic or in some cases, in the sufferer’s home. For the home sleep apnea test, the patient is given a portable unit to take home with them. They then attach the wires by themselves and return the machine with sleep apnea test results to the clinic the following day.

If their doctor has advised them to have a sleep apnea test, it’s a good idea beforehand to discuss whether they would need to watch their dietary intake before the test begins. Also they should discuss with the doctor any medication or vitamin supplements they are taking. These could all affect the sleep apnea test results.

When the sufferer takes the sleep apnea test, they will be wired up to the polysomnograph machine with a minimum of 22 wire attachments. Don’t worry; they won’t hurt the patient in any way. If the patient is taking the test at the sleep apnea clinic, they may find the clinical surroundings very disconcerting for getting to sleep – add this to their already existing sleep problem. If they speak to the clinical staff beforehand, they might be allowed to have a partner or someone close join them at the beginning. 

The clinician can usually ascertain fairly quickly during a short period of sleep whether the patient is a sufferer or not. If they are, then the next step is to then find a sleep apnea cure.

The treatment depends upon the severity of the symptoms, which can be broken down into:

	Mild Sleep Apnea
	Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea

If the results show ‘mild’, then a sleep apnea solution could involve the patient making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or changing their sleeping position. To create better airflow is important. To do this, the patient may be advised to get into the habit of sleeping on their side or if they are a heavy snorer, to wear an anti-snoring device on their face.

For the latter sleep apnea test results where the patient has been found to suffer from ‘moderate to severe’, the patient will probably be advised to use a sleep apnea breathing machine. These machines come in two types with the first being the C-CAP. This machine will blow air into the patient's nose through a face mask. The second sleep apnea breathing machine is called a Bi-level (Bi-PAP) machine. This is for the more severe sufferer and works by using two different types of air pressure blowing into the mask. The pressure alternates depending on whether the patient is exhaling or inhaling.

These machines are easily set up by a trained technician in the patient’s own home resulting in the patient finally having that full night of deep relaxing sleep.

If you are or you know someone who could be a sufferer, consult your doctor and you may soon be having ‘sweet dreams’ after taking a sleep apnea test.

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