Diagnosis

Diagnosis of OSA should be made by a primary care physician, monologist, neurologist or other physician with specialty training in sleep disorders. Diagnosis is not simple because there can be many different reasons for disturbed sleep. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for obstructive sleep apnea may include a sleep history and evaluation of the upper airway.

is the most common test used to determine if obstructive sleep apnea is present. Sometimes, simpler portable diagnostic procedures could be used to diagnose OSA. However, if the test doesn’t confirm OSA in a symptomatic patient, a full test will need to be performed. A patient sleeps in a laboratory overnight. Electrodes are attached to the scalp, on the outer edge of the eyelids and to the skin on the chin. Belts are placed around the chest and abdomen. A cannula is placed in the nose to measure airflow and a probe is placed on the finger to measure the blood oxygen level. While the patient sleeps, the records body functions such as eye movement, muscle activity, heart rate, respiration, blood oxygen levels, airflow and the electrical activity of the brain. This information is then gathered and evaluated.

The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MS LT) measures the speed of falling asleep. In this test, patients are given several opportunities to fall asleep during the course of a day when they would normally be awake. For each opportunity, time to fall asleep is measured. Individuals who fall asleep in less than 5 minutes are likely to require some type of treatment for sleep disorders. The MS LT may be useful to measure the degree of excessive daytime sleepiness and to rule out other types of sleep disorders.

Treatment

There are many treatment options available for OSA sufferers. You should consult your physician to determine which is best for you.

Nonsurgical Approaches

• Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CAP) — the most common sleep apnea treatment option, it involves wearing a mask that supplies a steady stream of air through the nose during sleep. The airflow keeps the nasal passages open sufficiently to prevent airway collapse and apnea.
• Weight loss — a weight loss of even 10 percent can reduce sleep apnea significantly.
  Changing sleep habits — for some people, sleeping on one’s side instead of on one’s back can reduce sleep apnea.
• Behavior modification — subtle changes such as avoiding sedatives and alcohol can sometimes help.
• Oral appliances — worn during sleep to prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat so that the airway stays open during sleep. The appliances promote adequate air intake and help to provide normal sleep in people who snore and in patients with OSA who cannot tolerate positive airway pressure therapy. These appliances should only be considered for OSA patients upon evaluation by a sleep professional. Snorers should seek an evaluation from a dental professional.
  Surgical Approaches
• Monopolist — a surgical procedure that uses radio frequency energy to reduce the soft tissue in the upper airway.
  (UP PP) — a procedure that removes soft tissue on the back of the throat and palate, thereby increasing the width of the airway at the throat opening.
• Mandibular maxillary advancement — a procedure that corrects facial abnormalities or throat obstructions that contribute to sleep apnea.
• Nasal surgery — procedures that correct nasal obstructions such as a deviated septum, which may play a role in sleep apnea.
• Implants - a newly-available procedure that places three small polyester inserts in the patent's soft palate, causing the palate to stiffen and thereby helping to prevent or lessen blockages of the airway.
  While there many options to treat OSA the only option that has pr oven to be 100% effective is using a CAP device. Other treatments such as surgical approaches have shown a lower success rate at eliminating OSA.