Information on OSA

I Need My Sleep - How Will My Sleep Be Examined?

» Respiratory arrest known as sleep apnoea
   » How do I know if it’s sleep apnoea?
   » In their own words
   » What is sleep apnoea?
   » What are the consequences of my sleep apnoea?

» Sleep apnoea syndrome diagnosis
   » How will my sleep be examined?
   » What happens while I’m asleep?

» Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
   » What treatment choices are there? 

» Questions and Answers, Tips and Tricks
   » Patients tell of their experiences
   » What should I pay attention to?
   » How should I handle the technology?
   » Answers to my questions

How Will My Sleep Be Examined?

When sleep apnoea is suspected, a preliminary diagnosis will be made on the basis of the symptoms of ‘snoring’, ‘tiredness during the day’ and respiratory arrest during sleep.

For this purpose, the patient will be given a wearable diagnostic device to take home.  The device measures pulse, snoring noise and oxygen saturation while the patient sleeps.  Data are also captured on the position of the body at different times and whether respiratory arrest occurs in certain positions.

If the findings indicate sleep apnoea, the treating doctor will have the patient admitted to a sleep lab for a complete sleep examination (polysomnography).

Normally, the patient reports to the sleep lab between 7 and 10:30 p.m.

In specially equipped rooms at the sleep lab, examination is made of the patient’s respiration (oxygen saturation, respiratory flow and movements, snoring), heart rhythm (electrocardiogram or ECG) and movement.  An important portion of the examination consists of a graphic recording of the patient’s sleep.  On the basis of the sleep structure, findings can be made regarding the quality of sleep. 
This is carried out by measuring brain waves:
• EEG = electroencephalogram
• EOG = electro-oculogram and skeletal muscular activity
• EMG = electromyogram

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for diagnosis and therapy in Sleep Medicine, Home Mechanical Ventilation, Oxygen Medicine and Emergency Medicine.

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