sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic condition characterized by frequent episodes of upper airway collapse during sleep. Patients may not even be aware that they have the condition. However, a common symptom is daytime fatigue and sleepiness which may seriously interfere with work or other daily activities. Estimates of the prevalence of sleep apnea are 3% to 7% in adult males and 2% to 5% in adult females.
Although a person may be unaware that they have sleep apnea, their spouse or family members may be very aware of the signs of the disorder which include loud snoring, breathing pauses during sleep, fitful sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness.
The effects of this condition however, goes beyond daytime drowsiness. Clinical studies indicate that persons with sleep apnea have risk factors for chronic hypertension, heart disease, stroke and glucose metabolic disorder.
sleep apnea diagnosis
The Sleep Clinic offers the gold standard of sleep apnea diagnostics—the overnight polysomnogram. This test measures multiple physiologic signs including electroencephalogram, electrooculogram, electromyogram, oronasal airflow and oxyhemoglobin saturation. An apnea is defined as the complete cessation of airflow for at least 10 seconds. Our testing can determine if the apnea is obstructive, central or mixed based. An apnea - hypopnea (reduction in airflow) index indicates the severity of the condition. Our reports contain this measure and other significant results that enable the patient’s physician to treat their condition.