Sleep studies help doctors diagnose sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, insomnia, and nighttime behaviors like sleepwalking and REM sleep behavior disorder.

The information gathered during polysomnography is evaluated first by a polysomnography technologist, who uses the data to chart your sleep stages and cycles. Then that information is reviewed by your sleep center doctor. Your doctor will review the information collected during your home sleep apnea test.

How long does the test take? The hookup procedure starts shortly after the scheduled appointment time (between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.) and will take roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Your study is performed in a private room equipped with a television, DVD/VCR, and a private bathroom and shower.

Tests to detect sleep apnea include: Nocturnal polysomnography. During this test, you’re hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.

If you absolutely can’t sleep during your study, you may be able to take a sleeping pill. This is one of the questions to ask ahead of time. Unless you take a prescription sleep aid regularly, you’ll be able to use a light over the counter medication like melatonin or Benadryl.

Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea In adults, the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea is excess weight and obesity, which is associated with the soft tissue of the mouth and throat. During sleep, when throat and tongue muscles are more relaxed, this soft tissue can cause the airway to become blocked.

The Best Pillows for Sleep Apnea

• Best Overall – Contour CPAPMAX CPAP Pillow 2.0.
• Best Wedge Pillow – Helix Wedge Pillow.
• Best for Side Sleepers – Scandvia CPAP Pillow.
• Best for Back Sleepers – Bilt-Rite CPAP Pillow.

“Sleeping with the head as elevated and upright as possible, such as with an adjustable bed or in a recliner, may be helpful in improving sleep apnea symptoms.” Wedge-shaped pillows made of foam (rather than a squishier material) can help you achieve the right position that keeps the airway more open.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of health problems, including: High blood pressure. Stroke. Heart failure, irregular heart beats, and heart attacks.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is estimated to affect over 936 million people worldwide, and people with OSA are known to suffer memory problems and depression.

The study also showed that memory improvement varied based on CPAP adherence. Patients who used CPAP for at least 6 hours a night were nearly eight times as likely to demonstrate normal memory abilities compared with patients who used CPAP for 2 or fewer hours a night.

Sleep apnea is considered a risk factor for dementia. People with sleep apnea have been shown not only to have impaired memory and executive function, but also biomarker changes that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

You see, sleep apnea causes a loss of quality of life. Your whole day can be ruined by its effects as you become sleepy throughout the day and your mental ability begins to slow. You have trouble concentrating and your performance at work is hindered and your productivity slows down.

Sleep Apnea May Increase Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease.

Complications can include:

• Daytime fatigue.
• High blood pressure or heart problems.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Metabolic syndrome.
• Complications with medications and surgery.
• Liver problems.
• Sleep-deprived partners.

Common CPAP Side Effects

• Aerophagia. This is the medical term for eating or swallowing air.
• Discomfort. Wearing a CPAP mask can sometimes cause discomfort when trying to sleep.
• Claustrophobia.
• Mask Leak.
• Dry, Stuffy Nose or Nosebleeds.
• Skin Irritations.
• Dry Mouth.
• Infections.

Although further study is needed to make any definitive determinations on a greater risk of pneumonia for sleep apnea sufferers, we do know that a CPAP machine, hose and mask that are not well maintained can lead to bronchitis, respiratory and sinus infections as well as pneumonia.

Studies have shown that sleep apnea can decrease life expectancy by several years. In addition, people with untreated sleep apnea find their focus, concentration and organizational skills are reduced. Further, sleep apnea is linked to higher incidences of motor vehicle accidents due to decreased attention.

Those who have suffered from sleep apnea for up to 5 years have a 30% jump in their risk of suffering a heart attack or dying, according to a Yale University study. The level of severity of your sleep apnea increases your risk for either a heart attack or death.

It can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of times in an hour that your breathing stops (apnea) or becomes very shallow (hypopnea). Apnea episodes may occur from 5 to 100 times an hour. More than five apneas per hour is abnormal. More than 30-40 per hour is considered severe sleep apnea.

About 19 percent of participants with severe sleep apnea died (12 deaths), compared with about four percent of participants with no sleep apnea (46 deaths).

When you can see that the mask incorporates a valve that lets fresh air in from around you, not just from the machine, you’ll know that you can’t suffocate with the mask on even if the machine somehow stops working.