Are you unsure how to test for sleep apnoea if you suspect you or your loved ones have it? With a passion in Sleep Medicine and a strong belief that everyone deserves a good night’s rest, Dr Elaine will gently walk you through the steps of assessment, diagnosis, and, ultimately, what needs to be done to get your sleep disorder under control.
Dr Elaine Ng will thoroughly assess the patient’s medical history and symptoms related to sleep apnoea, such as snoring, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, morning headaches, and witnessed apnoeas or gasping during sleep.
These scientific tests are calibrated to test for sleep apnoea and assess your risk of OSA by assessing daytime sleepiness, cognitive function, and cardiovascular health. These tests results will be collated by and interpreted by Dr Elaine Ng.
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A physical examination may be performed to assess the patient’s upper airway, including the nose, mouth, throat, and neck, for any anatomical abnormalities or signs of obstruction. Patients with a short lower jaw are at greater risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea due to small confines of the lower jaw.
The gold standard to test for sleep apnoea is a sleep study, also known as polysomnography (PSG) . This test is typically conducted in a sleep clinic or sleep laboratory in a hospital. During polysomnography, various parameters are monitored overnight while the patient sleeps, including airflow, breathing effort, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep stages. Abnormalities in these parameters can indicate the presence and severity of sleep aponea. Patients are observed and recorded throughout their sleep.
The flaws or limitations of PSG include:
A simplified version of polysomnography,is the home sleep apnoea testing (HSAT), which has shown high levels of accuracy. HSAT involves wearing a portable monitoring device at home while sleeping. Although HSAT is less comprehensive than polysomnography, it can be a convenient and cost-effective option for diagnosing uncomplicated cases of obstructive sleep apnoea.
Depending on the results of diagnostic tests and the patient’s individual needs, consultation with specialists such as sleep medicine physicians, otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialists), or dentists specializing in sleep dentistry may be recommended to determine the most appropriate treatment approach for managing sleep apnoea. Dr Elaine Ng has a wide network of clinicians and allied health team to support your recovery from sleep disorders.
Make an appointment with our Sleep Medicine Dentist, Dr Elaine Ng to start your journey towards a better night’s rest.
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