What is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep apnea diagnosis. The cause of sleep apnea is the soft tissue in the back of your throat relaxing during sleep and blocking your airway. As airflow stops, the oxygen level in your blood drops, causing your brain to kick start the breathing process, which is often accompanied by gasps or choking. Obstructive sleep apnea causes your sleep cycle to reset multiple times during night, which not only affects how you feel when you wake up, but can also lead to chronic conditions and can even be fatal if the case is severe and left untreated.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea:
- Insomnia
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- High blood pressure
- Laboured breathing at night
- Puffing sounds at night
- Dry mouth upon awakening
- Snoring
- Jaw clenching, grinding
- Morning headaches
- Overweight/obesity
- Irritability
- Change in personality
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sweating during sleep
- Heartburn
- Reduced libido
- Insomnia
- Urinating at nighttime
- Restless sleep
- Snorting, gasping, or choking
- Rapid weight gain
- Confusion upon waking
- Erectile dysfunction
- Diabetes
- History of heart problems
Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
Obstructive Sleep Apnea can only be diagnosed by a physician after the patient has had a sleep study. There are two types of sleep studies:
- Polysomnogram (PSG): in lab sleep study
- Home Sleep Test (HST)
In lab sleep studies are the gold standard but many insurance companies now dictate home sleep tests first due to their ease, affordability, and accuracy. Basically, in lab tests have more accurate data and home sleep tests have more natural sleep as you are in your regular environment.