How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Sleep Testing: Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a sleep test that is usually done overnight in a sleep lab. A person sleeps overnight in the lab and their arousals, awakenings are recorded. Sometimes this can also be done while wearing the equipment at home, but most of the time the testing is done in a lab.

In addition to Home or Lab Sleep Tests, there are also subjective & objective patient questionnaires such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to rate daytime sleepiness & the S.T.O.P. - B.A.N.G. is an acronym, which stands for Snoring, Tiredness, Observed Apnea, High Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Age, Neck size over 17” circumference and Gender. Treatment can include CPAP, Surgery, Oral Appliances