Understanding How Doctors Diagnose Sleep Apnea: What You Need To Know

By Author: Cynthia Bowers
Total Articles: 8
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The uninformed often make the mistake of taking matters into their own hands, even for something as delicate and important as their own health. These people are prone to self-medication and trying out ineffective home remedies that often only makes it worse. Sleep disorders like sleep apnea are no different. Before you come to the conclusion that you need this treatment or that solution, make sure to get a medical professional’s opinion, preferably in the form of a diagnosis.

Nocturnal Polysomnography

Nocturnal Polysomnography, colloquially known as sleep study, is the method of diagnosis for sleep apnea in Brandon, FL or anywhere else. This is commonly done in a sleep laboratory and requires the patient to be strapped into a machine that will record brain waves, heart rhythm, air flow, oxygen level and other related parameters via the electrodes taped to the skin. The doctor will then interpret the results.

Patient History

Of course, genetics and your health history will also be important factors. After all, certain quirks or lifestyle habits can make you more prone to develop sleep apnea. Your ...
... doctor will ask a string of questions to get a better read of the situation. For instance, they might ask you if you take medication to help you sleep at night or if you take longer than the average person to fall asleep. The most important thing to do here is to be honest and answer each question in a very detailed way as possible.

Determining Severity

Diagnosis doesn’t stop once the doctor comes to the conclusion that you do in fact have sleep apnea. He or she will also need to determine the severity of the condition. Doctors usually do this by taking note of how many apnea episodes occur every hour while the patient is asleep. Mild sleep apnea would put the number between 5 and 15, moderate sleep apnea would yield about 16-30, and severe sleep apnea would get somewhere over 31 episodes.

Once a specialist in sleep apnea in Brandon, FL declares that you have sleep apnea through a thorough diagnosis, he will be able to prescribe treatment options for you. Remember that the sooner you get diagnosed, the better it will be for your health.

Learn more about sleep apnea diagnosis and other helpful information about sleeping disorders from the University of Maryland Medical Center by going to www.umm.edu.