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Latest NewsDiagnosing Sleep Apnea
An overnight diagnostic sleep study is used to definitively diagnose Sleep Apnea. A sleep study is also necessary in order to provide documentation to a health insurance company of a medical condition that requires treatment. This study is painless, non-invasive and measures a number of physiological changes while you sleep. A medical device records the number of sleep disordered breathing events that occur during the night. The total number of events, known as "apneas" and/or "hypopneas", determines the severity of the apnea.
SleepQuest works closely with the patient and referring physician to determine the most appropriate diagnostic sleep testing device to be used for each patient. While the patient sleeps in the privacy and comfort of their own bed, the device records numerous physiological parameters such as heart rate, oxygen saturation, EEG, EOG, EMG, body position, respiratory effort, airflow, snoring, body movement, sleep states and actigraphy.
SleepQuest only utilizes the most technologically advanced and reliable portable testing devices available. Our team of experts carefully reviews and tests each device type to assure that patients are able to easily use the devices in any home setting.
Depending on the severity of the disorder as determined by the Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI) various treatment options may be appropriate. The AHI reflects the number of apneas and hypopneas occurring over a one hour period. Typically those with a mild diagnosis (AHI's greater than 5 and less than 15, the person has mild, moderate or severe sleep apnea will determine the required treatment. Simple lifestyle changes may be helpful such as not sleeping on one's back. The index number, know as the Apnea/Hypopnea Index will determine the most appropriate treatment options. For example, patients with a low Apnea/Hypopnea Index the may benefit from the use of an oral appliance, which helps create more space in the airway, allowing better breathing while asleep.
Testing Methods
It is known that there are more than 85 identified sleep disorders, but the most common type requiring a sleep study is Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Patients with other less common conditions such as Narcolepsy should have their study performed in an attended setting at a sleep laboratory. For the diagnosis of sleep apnea, the patient has two options for undergoing an overnight sleep study: at the sleep laboratory or in your own home.
In-Home Study:
Before a Home Sleep Study is performed, the patient is carefully instructed by a Sleep Care Specialist on how to prepare for the study. The test is performed by the patient in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own home. An in-home sleep study may be performed over one or multiple nights and records many of the same physiological channels as an in-lab such as heart rate, oxygen saturation, EEG, EOG, EMG, body position, respiratory effort, airflow, snoring, body movement, sleep states / REM and actigraphy.
Once the results are downloaded, they are scored and interpreted by a board certified sleep physician. Like the in-lab study, the results of the home sleep study determine the severity of the Sleep Apnea, and provides a comprehensive interpretative report by SleepQuest's board certified sleep physician to the referring physician or dentist. to the and provide quick and comprehensive results for the referring physician.
Portable sleep testing devices were initially developed to serve the needs of patients in remote areas who were unable to go to a sleep lab. Nowadays, this testing method is a preferred by many physicians and insurance payors, providing a safe, sophisticated, simple, cost-effective and convenient choice for most patients suffering from sleep disordered breathing. Those who are affected by significant health complications such as Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or Neuromuscular Disease or who may exhibit other sleep disorders such as Narcolepsy or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder are best served in an attended setting of a sleep laboratory.
In-Laboratory Study- Polysomnography (PSG):
These studies are usually performed over a single night in a sleep laboratory, often located in a hospital, clinic or medical building. The patient reports to the lab in the evening and a technician applies electrodes and elastic belts to numerous places on the body, each measuring a specific bodily function, such as brain activity, respiration, heart rate, abdominal effort, snoring, muscle activity, and oxygen saturation. A technician monitors the patient's sleep and if needed may intervene to start the patient on CPAP therapy in the hope of alleviating further apneas from occurring. The lab results will determine the severity of the Sleep Apnea, provide information about sleep stages, including REM and recommend further evaluation if needed. In addition to sleep related breathing disorders, PSG studies are used to test neurological sleep conditions such narcolepsy and parasomnias such as sleep walking or night terrors.
In many areas, it commonly takes 6-8 weeks to schedule an In-Laboratory Study. This results in long delays due to the limited number of available beds at each facility and the overall increased demand in these areas.
