Sleep Apnea Tests

By Author: John Cory
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In order to confirm a diagnosis, sleep apnea tests might be ordered and completed. Usually, sleep apnea tests are performed in a sleep disorder clinic equipped with technological devices created to monitor and measure your bodily functions while sleeping. A patient can expect to invest a minimum of one night inside the clinic attached to a number of machines that may give information to specially trained staff permitting an accurate diagnosis. Soon after such a suitable diagnosis, suitable therapy can began, assuring that the risky complications of sleep apnea could be lowered or eliminated.

The battery of tests performed is called a sleep study Performed overnight at a devoted sleep clinic, the patient will likely be observed and tested while truly sleeping. One of the most essential and beneficial part of the sleep study is called nocturnal polysomnography. During the nocturnal polysomnography a number of electrodes will likely be positioned on the patient's head and face, while other sensors will likely be wrapped around the chest and abdomen. The individual tested will then lie down to sleep while the different sensors ...
... gather information.

A wide range of functions are assessed, starting with brain waves, measured through EEG (electroencephalogram). Muscle activity is monitored by EMG (electromyogram) and eye movements are tracked by EOG (electro-oculogram). The heart rate is monitored too as the breathing rate and pattern and the flow of air-intake and output via the mouth and nose. Systemic blood oxygen levels are tested continuously throughout the testing by an oximeter attached to one of the patient's fingers.

All measurements taken in the course of the sleep study are recorded digitally, and the levels and patterns noted are then assessed by sleep specialists, physicians and other researchers and pros trained in interpreting the information gathered.
Additional tests might also be performed to much better inform the sleep specialist. These tests contain blood tests for hypothyroidism or a high red blood cell count, known as polycythemia. This evaluation can indicate further or alternative causes for fatigue or low oxygenation. An electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) or echo-cardiogram might be indicated to assess if the sleep disorder getting evaluated has triggered heart disease or harm. A recording or any snoring activity might also be created.

Where enlarged tissues or abnormal bone structures are suspected to be obstructing airflow, a fiber-optic pharyngoscopy might be performed to determine no matter whether there is certainly a structural issue, including a narrowed airway or an airway that will not remain rigid while breathing. Occasionally a CT scan of the head and neck might be indicated exactly where abnormally excess tissue or an overly significant tongue is suspected. In some cases, cephalometric X-rays might be ordered to rule out deformities of the skull or other bony areas inside the head or neck. Where mechanical or structural troubles including these are detected, a sleep specialist might refer an affected person to an ear, nose and throat specialist to assess no matter whether surgery is indicated as a successful technique to resolve the airway obstruction.

Thorough sleep disorder testing will concentrate attention on the causes of impaired sleep, allowing a proper therapy regimen to be instituted. As the brief and long term consequences of sleep apnea could be disruptive to restful and restorative sleep for both the affected person and loved ones, and, in severe cases, could be life threatening, suitable measures to eliminate or lessen sleep apnea are essential. Sleep apnea teats aid sleep specialists design powerful and life-enhancing therapy.
This above material is a good introduction to this subject and if you will be looking for more information click Sleep Apnea Tests or you can read further articles on this topic here Sleep Apnea Causes. Special thanks to Thelma A. Callan for all the help in the fulfillment of this Article.