Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Sleep Apnea Tests

By Natalie T. Bitner


To be able to confirm a diagnosis, sleep apnea tests may possibly be ordered and completed. Usually, sleep apnea tests are performed in a sleep disorder clinic equipped with technological devices developed to monitor and measure your bodily functions whilst sleeping. A patient can expect to invest a minimum of one night within the clinic to undego a variety of test that may offer data to the trained specialist. After such an appropriate diagnosis, appropriate therapy can began, assuring that the dangerous complications of sleep apnea might be reduced or eliminated.

The battery of tests performed is referred to as a sleep study Performed overnight at a devoted sleep clinic, the patient will be observed and tested whilst truly sleeping. Probably the most crucial and useful component of the sleep study is called nocturnal polysomnography. Throughout the nocturnal polysomnography quite a few electrodes will be positioned on the patient's head and face, although other sensors will be wrapped about 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 at the same time as the breathing rate and pattern and also the flow of air-intake and output by way of 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 throughout the sleep study are recorded digitally, along with the levels and patterns noted are then assessed by sleep specialists, physicians and other researchers and professionals trained in interpreting the data gathered. Extra tests could also be performed to far better inform the sleep specialist. These tests include blood tests for hypothyroidism or perhaps a high red blood cell count, known as polycythemia. This evaluation can indicate additional or alternative reasons for fatigue or low oxygenation. An electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) or echo-cardiogram may be indicated to assess if the sleep disorder being evaluated has caused heart illness or damage. A recording or any snoring activity may possibly also be created.

Exactly where enlarged tissues or abnormal bone structures are suspected to be obstructing airflow, a fiber-optic pharyngoscopy might be performed to establish whether or not there's a structural problem, including a narrowed airway or an airway that does not remain rigid whilst breathing. Sometimes a CT scan of the head and neck might be indicated where abnormally excess tissue or an overly large tongue is suspected. In some situations, cephalometric X-rays may be ordered to rule out deformities of the skull or other bony locations inside the head or neck. Exactly where mechanical or structural troubles such as these are detected, a sleep specialist might refer an affected individual to an ear, nose and throat specialist to assess whether or not surgery is indicated as an efficient method to resolve the airway obstruction.

Thorough sleep disorder testing will focus 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 may be disruptive to restful and restorative sleep for both the affected individual and loved ones, and, in severe situations, can be life threatening, proper measures to eradicate or decrease sleep apnea are crucial. Sleep apnea helps sleep specialists style efficient and life-enhancing treatment.




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