Sleep Apnoea Test: How to Diagnose and Manage Sleep Disorders

Do you often feel tired, even after a full night’s sleep? Does your partner complain about your loud snoring? These could be signs of a common sleep problem called sleep apnoea. It’s more than just snoring; it’s a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This can be serious, affecting your health and how well you function during the day.

The good news is that sleep apnoea can be diagnosed and managed. The first step is usually a sleep apnoea test. This blog post will walk you through everything you need to know about these tests, from why they’re important to what happens during them, and what to do once you have your results.

Sleep Apnoea

Let’s break down what sleep apnoea actually is. Imagine you’re sleeping, and suddenly your breathing stops for a few seconds, or even a minute. Then, you might snort, gasp, or wake up briefly to start breathing again. This can happen many times an hour, all night long, without you even knowing it.

There are different types of sleep apnoea:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): This is the most common type. It happens when the muscles in your throat relax too much while you sleep, blocking your airway. It’s like trying to breathe through a squashed straw.
• Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA): This type is less common. It happens when your brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that control your breathing. Your body just “forgets” to breathe.
• Complex Sleep Apnoea Syndrome: This is a mix of both OSA and CSA.

No matter the type, the result is the same: your body doesn’t get enough oxygen, and your sleep is constantly interrupted.

Why is a Sleep Apnoea Test Important?

You might be thinking, “I just snore, it’s not a big deal.” But sleep apnoea is more than an annoyance. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems like:

• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Daytime sleepiness, which can lead to accidents
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes, like irritability or depression

A sleep apnoea test is important because it’s the only way to truly know if you have the condition and how severe it is. Knowing this allows doctors to recommend the right treatment, which can greatly improve your health and quality of life. It can help you feel more rested, have more energy, and reduce your risk of serious illnesses.

Types of Sleep Apnoea Tests

There are two main ways to test for sleep apnoea:

Home Sleep Apnoea Test (HSAT)

This is a simpler test that you do in your own bed. A doctor might suggest this if they suspect you have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea.

How it works: You’ll be given a small device to take home. This device usually has sensors that you attach to your finger, chest, and nose. These sensors record things like:

• Oxygen levels: How much oxygen is in your blood.
• Breathing effort: How hard your chest is working to breathe.
• Airflow: Whether air is moving in and out of your nose and mouth.
• Heart rate: How fast your heart is beating.

You wear the device overnight and return it to the clinic or doctor the next day. A sleep specialist then analyses the data.

Pros of a home test:

• More convenient, as you’re in your own home environment.
• Generally less expensive.
• It can be done quickly.

Cons of a home test:

• Doesn’t measure all aspects of sleep, like brain activity.
• Might miss milder cases of sleep apnoea.
• Not suitable for all types of sleep apnoea (e.g., central sleep apnoea).

In-Lab Sleep Apnoea Test (Polysomnography)

This test is done in a special sleep clinic, like those found at a dentist Springfield. It’s more detailed and comprehensive.

How it works: You’ll spend a night in the sleep clinic. A sleep technologist will attach many sensors to your body, including:

• Electrodes on your head: To measure brain waves (this tells them if you’re awake, in light sleep, deep sleep, or REM sleep).
• Sensors around your eyes: To track eye movements.
• Sensors on your chin: To record muscle activity.
• Belts around your chest and abdomen: To measure breathing effort.
• Sensors near your nose and mouth: To measure airflow.
• An oxygen sensor on your finger: To check blood oxygen levels.
• Microphone: To record snoring.

A technologist will monitor you from another room throughout the night, ensuring the equipment works correctly.

Pros of an in-lab test

• Provides a very detailed picture of your sleep, including sleep stages.
• Can diagnose all types of sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders.
• Monitored by trained professionals.

Cons of an in-lab test

• Less convenient, as you’re away from home.
• Can be more expensive.
• Some people find it hard to sleep in a new environment with all the sensors.

Your doctor will help you decide which type of test is best for you based on your symptoms and overall health.

How to Prepare for a Sleep Apnoea Test

Getting ready for your sleep apnoea test is pretty straightforward, whether it’s at home or in a clinic. Here are some general tips:

• Talk to your doctor: Make sure you understand why you’re having the test and what to expect.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol: On the day of your test, try to avoid drinks like coffee, tea, fizzy drinks with caffeine, and alcoholic beverages. These can interfere with your sleep patterns.
• Stick to your usual routine: Try to go to bed at your normal time. Don’t try to “catch up on sleep” beforehand.
• No naps: Avoid napping on the day of the test if possible.
• Shower and wash your hair: Clean skin and hair help the sensors stick better, especially for in-lab tests. Avoid using hair products or lotions that day.
• Wear comfortable clothing: Pyjamas or loose, comfortable clothes are best.
• Bring necessary items (for in-lab test): Pack anything you need for a night away from home, like toiletries, a book, or a phone charger.
• Follow specific instructions: Your doctor or the sleep clinic will give you detailed instructions. Make sure to follow them carefully.

What Happens During a Sleep Apnoea Test?

Home Sleep Apnoea Test

Once you pick up your device, the clinic will show you how to set it up. It usually involves placing a small sensor on your finger, a thin tube under your nose, and a belt around your chest. You’ll switch on the device when you go to bed and wear it all night. You turn it off, pack it up, and return it in the morning. It’s designed to be simple so you can do it yourself.

In-Lab Sleep Apnoea Test

When you arrive at the sleep clinic, a technologist will greet you. They’ll show you to your private room, which often looks like a comfortable hotel room. The technologist will then start attaching the sensors. This might take a little while, but they are gentle and will explain what they’re doing.

Once all the sensors are in place, you’ll be able to relax, read, or watch TV until your usual bedtime. When you’re ready to sleep, the technologist will turn off the lights, and you’ll try to sleep as normally as possible. They will be watching from a nearby control room to ensure everything is working and note any important observations about your sleep. Don’t worry, they won’t disturb you unless absolutely necessary.

Interpreting Sleep Apnoea Test Results

After your sleep test, the recorded data is sent to a sleep specialist. This specialist is usually a doctor with special training in sleep disorders. The specialist will analyse the information and look for specific patterns.

One of the most important numbers they look at is called the Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI). This number tells you how many times per hour, on average, your breathing stops (apnoea) or becomes very shallow (hypopnoea) during sleep.

• Normal: AHI less than 5 events per hour.
• Mild Sleep Apnoea: AHI between 5 and 15 events per hour.
• Moderate Sleep Apnoea: AHI between 15 and 30 events per hour.
• Severe Sleep Apnoea: AHI greater than 30 events per hour.

The specialist will also look at:

• Oxygen saturation: How much your oxygen levels dropped during sleep.
• Snoring events: How often and how loudly you snore.
• Sleep stages: For in-lab tests, they’ll see how much time you spent in different sleep stages.
• Leg movements or other unusual events: These might indicate other sleep disorders.

Once the specialist has reviewed everything, they will provide a report to your referring doctor, such as a GP or a specialist at a dentist in Springfield. Your doctor will then explain the results to you and discuss the next steps.

How Accurate is a Sleep Apnoea Test?

Both home and in-lab sleep apnoea tests are generally very accurate when used for the right reasons.

• In-lab polysomnography is considered the “gold standard” because it collects the most comprehensive data, including brain activity, allowing for a precise diagnosis of all sleep stages and types of sleep apnoea.
• Home sleep apnoea tests are very good at diagnosing moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea. They might be less accurate for milder cases or central sleep apnoea because they don’t measure as many factors.

It’s important to remember that no test is 100% perfect. Sometimes, if the home test results are unclear or if your symptoms suggest something more complex, your doctor might recommend an in-lab test to get a clearer picture. 

Your doctor will always use their expert judgement along with the test results to make the best diagnosis.

Treatment Options After a Sleep Apnoea Test

If your sleep apnea test confirms that you have the condition, don’t worry—there are many effective treatments available. The goal of treatment is to keep your airway open during sleep and ensure you get enough oxygen.

Common treatment options include:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine: This is the most common and often most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea. You wear a mask over your nose and mouth while sleeping. The machine delivers a gentle stream of air that keeps your airway open. Many people find it takes a little getting used to, but the benefits in terms of energy and health are huge.
• Oral appliances: A custom-made mouthpiece, often provided by a dentist Springfield, can help keep your jaw and tongue in a position that prevents your airway from collapsing. This is often an option for mild to moderate sleep apnoea.
• Lifestyle changes: For some people, especially those with mild sleep apnoea, lifestyle changes can make a big difference:
  • Weight loss: Losing even a small amount of weight can improve sleep apnoea.
  • Avoiding alcohol and sedatives: These can relax your throat muscles too much.
  • Sleeping on your side: Sleeping on your back can make sleep apnoea worse.
  • Quitting smoking: Smoking can worsen swelling in the airway.
  • Nasal decongestants: If you have allergies or nasal congestion, treating these can help.
• Surgery: If other treatments haven’t worked, surgery to remove or reshape tissue in your throat or jaw might be an option. This is usually considered a last resort.
• Newer therapies: There are also newer treatments like hypoglossal nerve stimulation, which involves a small implanted device that stimulates the nerve controlling tongue movement to keep the airway open.

Your doctor will discuss the best treatment plan for you based on your type of sleep apnoea, its severity, and your personal preferences.

Risks and Benefits of Sleep Apnoea Testing

Like any medical test, sleep apnoea testing has both risks and benefits.

Benefits of Sleep Apnoea Testing

• Accurate diagnosis: The main benefit is clearly diagnosing whether you have sleep apnoea and how severe it is.
• Improved health: Once diagnosed, you can start treatment, which significantly reduces the risk of serious health problems associated with untreated sleep apnoea (heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc.).
• Better quality of life: Treatment can increase energy, improve mood, improve concentration, and make driving safer.
• Peace of mind: Knowing what’s causing your symptoms can be a huge relief.

Risks of Sleep Apnoea Testing

• Minor discomfort: During the test, the sensors might feel a little strange or itchy.
• Difficulty sleeping: Some people find it hard to sleep with the equipment on, especially during an in-lab test. This might slightly affect the results, but technologists are trained to get the best data possible.
• False results: While generally accurate, there’s a small chance of a false negative (test says you don’t have it, but you do) or a false positive (test says you have it, but you don’t), especially with home tests. This is why doctor interpretation is crucial.
• Cost: There are costs involved, though these can often be covered by private health insurance or Medicare in Australia.

The benefits of diagnosing and starting treatment for sleep apnea generally far outweigh the minor risks of the testing process.

Cost Considerations for Sleep Apnoea Testing

The cost of a sleep apnoea test in Australia can vary depending on where you have it done, whether it’s a home test or an in-lab test, and whether you have private health insurance.

• Medicare: In Australia, Medicare often covers a significant portion of the cost for both home and in-lab sleep studies if a specialist refers them. You might still have an out-of-pocket expense (a “gap payment”).
• Private Health Insurance: If you have private health insurance with hospital cover, it might cover some or all of the out-of-pocket costs for an in-lab sleep study. It’s always best to check with your insurance provider beforehand to understand what’s covered.
• Home Sleep Apnoea Tests: These are generally less expensive than in-lab tests. Some private clinics offer them for a fixed fee, and parts of this might be rebatable through Medicare.

Before you proceed with the test, it’s a good idea to ask your doctor or the sleep clinic about the exact costs and what rebates you might be eligible for. Don’t let cost stop you from getting tested if your doctor thinks you need it; discuss payment options or financial assistance if necessary.

Conclusion

Sleep apnoea is a common but serious sleep disorder that can significantly impact your health and daily life. If you’re experiencing symptoms like loud snoring, daytime tiredness, or frequent waking during the night, it’s really important to talk to your doctor.

A sleep apnoea test is the key to understanding if you have this condition. Whether it’s a convenient home sleep apnoea test or a comprehensive in-lab study, these tests provide valuable information that can lead to an accurate diagnosis. Once diagnosed, effective treatments are available to help you breathe better, sleep better, and live a healthier, more energetic life.

Don’t ignore the signs. Taking action now can greatly impact your long-term health and well-being.

Want to Have a Good Slumber?

If you suspect you might have sleep apnoea, don’t wait. Talk to your local GP or an expert at Robelle Dental Centre today. 

We can assess your symptoms and refer you for a sleep apnoea test. For further advice, consider consulting a dentist who can offer solutions for mild to moderate sleep apnoea through oral appliances. 

Take the first step towards a better night’s sleep and a healthier you!