| Apnea is derived from a Greek word and means | | | | monitoring test can also be performed. Here a |
| cessation of breath. Sleep Apnea is the obstruction of | | | | technician connects all the electrodes to the patient |
| the air passage preventing the free flow of air. The | | | | and instructs him on using a polysomnograh to monitor |
| most common type is obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep | | | | his sleep. This is usually painless. Sleep testers like |
| apnea is usually associated with daytime weariness, | | | | Sleep Quest and Sleep Data provide this service. |
| dryness of mouth, high blood pressure, obesity, | | | | A respiratory disturbance index (RDI) is then calculated. |
| depression, mood swings, insomnia, nocturia and | | | | It is expressed as the number of abnormal respiratory |
| gasping or choking for breath. | | | | events in an hour. A value above 20 (which is the |
| The diagnosis of sleep apnea involves a physical | | | | threshold limit) indicates that the person must be |
| examination of the nose, throat, uvula and the palate. A | | | | advocated with CPAP treatment. A multiple sleep |
| medical history that includes details of the patient?s | | | | latency test is done to assess daytime sleepiness. An |
| sleep quality, sleep patterns, disturbances if any and | | | | average person needs more than 10 minutes to fall |
| the like, is collected. A sleep recording is done to | | | | asleep during the day. If the level falls below 5 then it is |
| record and monitor the patient?s breathing while he is | | | | considered abnormal and the person requires |
| asleep. The most common sleep recording technique is | | | | immediate attention. |
| the Polysomnogram or PSG. | | | | A sleep strip can also be used to test apnea. This is |
| There are two types of polysomnography tests. An | | | | typically a screener and it has a threshold limit. A value |
| overnight test involves monitoring of brain activity, eye | | | | greater than or equal to 16 means the person needs |
| movement, breathing patterns, heart beat rate and | | | | to undergo the polysomnography test. |
| percentage of oxygen in the blood. This is usually done | | | | These tests prove give results that prove to be |
| in a diagnostic center or hospital where the person | | | | important in the treatment of sleep apnea. |
| sleeps overnight. Another test called the home | | | | |