Obstructive sleep apnea is usually a prevalent but neglected sleep disorder affecting a person’s general health and wellbeing. This is a sleep disorder where a person’s breathing is disrupted and pauses throughout the night and this leads to several illnesses such as heart disease, raised blood pressure, fatigue during the day among others. Any signs which indicate sleep apnea should therefore be brought for testing with an aim of enhancing the management processes for improved quality of life. This is why early detection is important and here’s how sleep apnea testing can lead to the path to improved sleep.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Whereas sleep apnea is characterised by partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway, during sleeping, which is accompanied by voluntary pauses in breathing, despite effort, that can range from several seconds to several minutes at most. These interruptions are able to affect normal sleep patterns and thus, greatly affect the quality of sleep thus leading to daytime drowsiness and irritability, poor alertness us well as poor concentration levels.
There are three main types of sleep apnea:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): In this type of sleep apnea, the airway is blocked due to the relaxation of throat muscles, hence making it the frequent occurrence.
Central Sleep Apnea: This takes place when there is no message sent to the muscles to breathe hence no air is supplied.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A coexistence of OSA and central sleep apnea.
Why Early Detection is Crucial?
Preventing Health Complications: Sleep apnea if not treated may cause serious health implications, some of which are; hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. If the condition is diagnosed early, then you have an opportunity to start with the treatment and minimize on these complications.
Improving Quality of Life: If left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious effects on your daily life by making you feel chronically tired, becoming easily frustrated or having trouble with your memory. If identified at this stage, the problem can be treated and subsequently rectified causing an improvement in sleep patterns hence enhancing well being.
Reducing Healthcare Costs: If the disease is detected at an early stage, it will be easier to treat and it will significantly reduce exposure of the patient to other complications that are costly to treat. It is also important to note that early intervention in sleep apnea also aids in lessening long term health costs of a patient with sleep apnea due to the many complications that may arise in the absence of proper treatment.
The Process of Sleep Apnea Testing
There are several levels of sleep apnea testing to ensure that the right diagnosis and severity is found before beginning any treatment. The primary methods for testing include:
Polysomnography (In-Lab Sleep Study): This kind of test is executed in a sleep clinic or laboratory and is quite comprehensive in nature. They observe the various physiological activities occurring during sleep. Polysomnography helps to study different stages of your sleep and find out some failures connected with sleep apnea.
Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT): As with many patients, a home sleep apnea test may be suggested for the patient. This test entails the use of a portable device applied on the breathing examination, airflow, and the blood oxygen level evaluation while you are asleep at home. There is a difference between home or field tests and they include convenience and less invasive or intrusive as compared to in-lab tests.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Trial: Sometimes, if your doctor thinks that you are suffering from sleep apnea, he or she may suggest you undergo a CPAP trial.
Preparing for Sleep Apnea Testing
Follow Pre-Test Instructions: Your healthcare provider will provide specific direction on kind of diets, exercises or any changes that need to be made in your daily life before undergoing the test.
Ensure a Comfortable Environment: In regards to in laboratory exams they should conclude that you are comfortable within sleep lab. Feel free to bring personal items that you can use so that you will not feel uncomfortable.
Interpreting the Results
If and when the tests are done, a sleep specialist will evaluate the data and decide if you have sleep apnea. Depending on the extent of your problem and other characteristics, they will advise you on the best option for management.
Conclusion
Therefore, sleep apnea testing is one of the important measures that would help people to enjoy better sleep and improve their health. It helps one to be treated early hence reducing severe health risks and enhances ones standard of living. If you think that you have sleep apnea or feel symptoms like loud snoring during the night and lethargy, or poor concentration during the day – you need to talk to your doctor about the possibility of sleep apnea testing. If you consult your doctor, you can get the best treatment as well as a sound sleep to improve your health.