Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition; therefore, it's paramount that you consider going for diagnosis as early as possible.
There are a number of ways in which the condition can be diagnosed.
The most common ways are: Physical examinations Here the doctor takes a look at your mouth, nose and throat for extra or large tissues.
These examinations are usually very effective in children.
This is because children with the condition usually have enlarged tonsils thus the doctor is not required to undertake any other tests on children.
Adults with the condition usually have an enlarged uvula or a soft palate.
If you are wondering what uvula and soft palate are, uvula is the tissue that hangs from the middle of the back of the mouth, while the soft palate is the roof of the mouth at the back of the throat.
Sleep studies These are studies that measure how well you are able to sleep and how your body responds to sleep problems.
The tests help your doctor know whether you have a sleep disorder.
The test also tells your doctor how severe the condition is.
There are many types of sleep studies that can be done on you.
The most common ones recommended by many doctors are: in-lab overnight sleep study and home sleep test.
In-lab overnight sleep study Here you need to stay overnight in a hotel room.
For testing to be done, sensors are hooked up in various parts of your body.
The sensors are meant to record your brain waves, breathing, heartbeat and many other things.
This test is ideal for people with complicated apnea.
Although, the test is very effective, it's usually expensive.
You are also required to spend a night away from your family members.
Home sleep test This is ideal for patients with high risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea.
Here you need to sleep in the comfort of your home while a machine collects your information.
The good side with the machine used here is that its less complicated thus you can easily use it even if you have basic technological knowhow.
Another good side is that you don't have to spend time away from your family; you test yourself at home.
Once you have taken the test, you should return the machine to the doctor who will interpret the results for you.
These are the main ways in which sleep apnea can be tested.
To be certain that the results that you get are correct, you should ensure that the testing is done by a qualified professional.
There are a number of ways in which the condition can be diagnosed.
The most common ways are: Physical examinations Here the doctor takes a look at your mouth, nose and throat for extra or large tissues.
These examinations are usually very effective in children.
This is because children with the condition usually have enlarged tonsils thus the doctor is not required to undertake any other tests on children.
Adults with the condition usually have an enlarged uvula or a soft palate.
If you are wondering what uvula and soft palate are, uvula is the tissue that hangs from the middle of the back of the mouth, while the soft palate is the roof of the mouth at the back of the throat.
Sleep studies These are studies that measure how well you are able to sleep and how your body responds to sleep problems.
The tests help your doctor know whether you have a sleep disorder.
The test also tells your doctor how severe the condition is.
There are many types of sleep studies that can be done on you.
The most common ones recommended by many doctors are: in-lab overnight sleep study and home sleep test.
In-lab overnight sleep study Here you need to stay overnight in a hotel room.
For testing to be done, sensors are hooked up in various parts of your body.
The sensors are meant to record your brain waves, breathing, heartbeat and many other things.
This test is ideal for people with complicated apnea.
Although, the test is very effective, it's usually expensive.
You are also required to spend a night away from your family members.
Home sleep test This is ideal for patients with high risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea.
Here you need to sleep in the comfort of your home while a machine collects your information.
The good side with the machine used here is that its less complicated thus you can easily use it even if you have basic technological knowhow.
Another good side is that you don't have to spend time away from your family; you test yourself at home.
Once you have taken the test, you should return the machine to the doctor who will interpret the results for you.
These are the main ways in which sleep apnea can be tested.
To be certain that the results that you get are correct, you should ensure that the testing is done by a qualified professional.
