Sleep Apnea Diagnosis

Physical Examination
To diagnose sleep apnea, the physician will check for physical indications of sleep apnea, including the following:
• Abnormalities in the soft palate or upper airways, including enlarged tonsils.
• Upper body obesity.
• A wide neck measurement.

Ruling Out Other Disorders
If sleep apnea is not obvious after a physical examination and history, the physician will need to rule out any other conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome or depressiong that may be causing daytime sleepiness.

Polysomnography
Polysomnography is a standard test measuring how frequently you stop breathing and records:
• electrical activity of the brain,
• eye movement,
• muscle movement,
• heart rate,
• respiratory effort,
• air flow, and
• blood oxygen levels during sleep.

Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea is treated using several different techniques depending on the cause of the apnea. The most common treatment is Positive Airway Pressure (PAP). This treatment provides a gentle flow of air through a mask that prevents the airway from collapsing. PAP is noninvasive and highly effective when used as prescribed. Other alternatives to PAP are surgery, body position modification & oral appliances. Your physician will advise as to the best treatment method for your condition.