How Would Doctors Diagnose Sleep Apnea?

Your Cigna Dental PPO doctor may base their assessment on your signs and symptoms and your sleep history, which you can provide with assistance from someone who shares your bed or house. It'd be best to visit a sleep disorder clinic; a sleep specialist can help determine whether you need more testing. During an evaluation, a sleep center will frequently monitor your breathing and other bodily functions while you sleep. There is also an option for sleep testing at home.

What are the tests to diagnose sleep apnea?

Nocturnal polysomnography.

Throughout this test, equipment monitors your blood oxygen levels, breathing patterns, and heart, lungs, and brain activity as you sleep. It also records your arm and leg movements.

Home sleep testing

A dentist near me could prescribe quick tests for you at home to detect sleep apnea. Your blood oxygen level, airflow, and breathing patterns are frequently examined during these assessments.

If the results are abnormal, dentists open Saturdays may be able to advise a therapy without performing any additional testing. But even if your preliminary results are normal, your doctor can still suggest polysomnography because portable monitoring devices don't always detect sleep apnea cases.

What treatment options are for sleep apnea?

Your doctor might advise making lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking or decreasing weight, for milder sleep apnea. Your doctor will suggest allergy treatment if you have nasal allergies. Numerous other therapies are available if these steps aren't effective on your signs and symptoms or if your sleep apnea is moderate to severe. A few tools can aid in clearing a clogged airway, and other situations can call for surgery.

Sleep apnea treatment options may include:

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

If you suffer from moderate to severe sleep apnea, using a machine that pushes air pressure via a mask while you sleep may be beneficial. With CPAP (SEE-pap), the air pressure is enough to keep your upper airway's passageways open, preventing apnea and snoring. It is slightly higher than the air pressure in the room.

Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV).

This more current airflow device that has been approved learns your typical breathing pattern and keeps the data in an integrated computer. After you fall asleep, the device applies pressure to convert your breathing pattern to normal and stop breathing pauses.

For some persons, ASV appears to be a more effective treatment for complex sleep apnea than other types of positive airway pressure.

Other airway pressure devices.

If using a CPAP machine still bothers you, you could use another airway pressure device that automatically changes the pressure while sleeping (auto-CPAP). Some devices deliver BPAP or bilevel-positive airway pressure.

Treatment for associated medical problems.

According to Dental Clinic near me, treating cardiac or neuromuscular issues, which are potential causes of central sleep apnea, may be helpful.

Supplemental oxygen

Using more oxygen while you sleep may be beneficial if you have central sleep apnea. Devices that supply oxygen to your lungs come in a variety of types.

Conclusion

We hope the above-provided information will give you valuable information regarding sleep apnea and its treatment. For more details, please visit dentisthoustontx.com.