Sleep Disorder Alliance

Learn About Sleep Disorders
	Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Apnea How Sleep Apnea is Diagnosed Speak with your health care professional if you suspect you might have sleep apnea or any other sleep disorder. You will most likely be asked to keep a sleep diary for a few nights. A sleep diary tracks your sleep patterns and behaviors to allow your physician to get a clear picture of how your sleep is being affected. If necessary, your health care professional may schedule a sleep test overnight in a sleep center. Most sleep centers are set up much like hotels, with private rooms and baths. You will be observed while sleeping – using cameras as well as monitors attached to your body. A test called a polysomnogram, performed at sleep centers, is the definitive test to diagnose sleep apnea. Treatments for Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea is highly treatable, and most individuals find that they experience relief from employing one or sometimes a combination of treatments. Mild to moderate sleep apnea can often be treated with behavioral modification, but most cases of sleep apnea require a physician's assistance to find the most effective treatment. The treatments outlined below are for informational purposes only. Sleep apnea is a serious condition – it's important to consult with your physician to find the treatment that is best for you. Symptoms of Sleep Apnea Causes of Sleep Apnea

Behavioral Treatments for Sleep Apnea

TREATMENT	DETAILS

Reduce consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and sedatives such as sleeping pills	Avoiding the use of stimulants and depressants can reduce the likelihood of airway closure during the night

Sleep on your side	Some individuals with sleep apnea find that they experience temporary relief when sleeping on the side, rather than the back

Establish a regular sleep routine	Irregular sleep hours can throw off your sleep cycles and lead to breathing problems during the most important sleep stages

Medical Treatments for Sleep Apnea

TREATMENT	DETAILS

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)	A CPAP machine blows pressurized air into a mask worn over the nose to keep the patient's airway open during sleep. This is the most common long-term treatment for severe sleep apnea.

Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP)	An electronic circuit monitors the patient's breathing and provides two different pressures: one for inhalation and one for exhalation. This treatment is sometimes used for patients who find breathing out against increased pressure to be uncomfortable or disruptive to their sleep.

Oral Devices	Oral devices such as dental appliances open the patient's airway by bringing the lower jaw or tongue forward during sleep. Two common oral devices are the Mandibular Repositioning Device and the Tongue Retaining Device.

Surgery	Surgically removing tissue such as tonsils, adenoids, or excess tissue at the back of the throat or inside the nose increases the size of the patient's airway, allowing better airflow during sleep.

Oxygen Administration	Oxygen is provided to the patient via a small tube that fits inside the nose. This treatment is rarely used, although it is occasionally employed in conjunction with CPAP.

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