Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Treatment

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Your doctor will examine you and ask you and possibly your sleeping partner questions about your lifestyle, snoring, sleep behavior, and how tired you feel during the day. If your doctor thinks you may have sleep apnea, he or she may suggest a sleep study. A sleep study usually takes place at a sleep center, where you will spend the night. Sleep studies find out how often you stop breathing or have slower breathing and how much oxygen you have in your blood during sleep. You may also have blood tests and X-rays.

How is sleep apnea treated?

If you have mild sleep apnea, you may be able to treat it on your own by losing weight, developing good sleep habits, and avoiding alcohol and certain medicines before bed. If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, you may need to use a breathing device continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) that prevents your airway from closing during sleep. If CPAP does not work, or if large tissues are blocking your airway, you may need surgery.

Please read the following articles to answer your questions about sleep apnea:

Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep Apnea Surgery