What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes repeated interruptions in breathing, lasting from a few seconds to several minutes, during sleep. People with sleep apnea may wake up multiple times during the night without realizing it and experience excessive daytime sleepiness. This sleep disorder can have serious health consequences, including heart problems, high blood pressure, obesity, depressive symptoms, and a general decrease in quality of life.
The Diagnostic Process
Because sleep apnea can lead to significant health risks, it is important to seek treatment if you experience symptoms. From recognizing the signs to treatment, here are the steps involved in the diagnostic process:
- Consult a Doctor
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, your first step is to consult your doctor or a healthcare professional. They will assess your symptoms and determine whether a prescription for further evaluation at a specialized sleep clinic is necessary. - Schedule an Appointment
Once you receive your prescription, you can schedule an appointment with one of our respiratory therapists, who will help plan the necessary sleep tests. - Undergo a Sleep Test
To confirm sleep apnea, a screening test is required. This test helps determine the type and severity of sleep apnea. There are two types of tests available:- In-lab sleep study
- At-home sleep test
- Test Analysis and Interpretation
Once your test is completed, the results will be analyzed by a sleep specialist at our clinic and then interpreted by a pulmonologist. - Receiving Your Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
After the analysis and interpretation, the results will be sent to your doctor or prescribing healthcare professional. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, a treatment plan will be recommended to address your condition.
Need More Information?
If you have questions or suspect you may have sleep apnea, feel free to contact us at info@csrsommets.ca or call 1-877-744-0416.
