Waking up gasping for breath in the middle of the night is hardly anyone’s idea of a sound night’s sleep. Worse yet, if this does happen, it’s not just once a night either. Maybe it’s a partner or a child that you see struggling to breathe while they sleep. No matter the scenario, it’s easy to feel powerless in these situations. Before you make your way to the doctor you’ve probably tried a few at-home remedies such as changing your sleeping posture or lip-taping. But what is the one way to know for sure if you or your loved one has sleep apnea?
What is Polysomnography?
Polysomnography, also called a sleep study, is a comprehensive test used to diagnose sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. Polysomnography records brain waves, the oxygen level in your blood, heart rate, and breathing, as well as eye and leg movements while patients sleep. A polysomnogram (PSG) measures:
- How many times you stop breathing during the night
- How long you stop breathing
- Your blood oxygen levels throughout the night
Not Interested in Sleeping in a Lab?
While a lab setting is preferred in order to minimize unexpected variables during the test, there is an alternative option to traditional polysomnography. An ambulatory PSG, or an at-home polysomnogram, allows patients to conduct the test from home while wirelessly hooked up to the testing equipment.
Polysomnography for Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
Polysomnography is the one true way to determine if someone is affected by a sleep disorder. During polysomnography, the patient will be hooked up with an EEG which reads brain activity, EKG for heart monitoring, and movement sensors to monitor eye and leg movements during the study.
Sleep Apnea Consultation and Treatment in Lynnwood, WA
If you are unsure if you suffer from sleep apnea, call us today. We can help provide you with solutions to get the best night’s sleep possible. Call us now at (425) 361-0741, so we can begin discussing how we may be able to help improve your quality of life through better rest and more energy during the day!
