Sleep apnea is a serious condition that often goes undiagnosed, yet with the right tools and expertise, it can be managed effectively. If you or a loved one frequently experience symptoms like excessive daytime fatigue, loud snoring, or repeated awakenings during the night, it’s time to consider proper diagnostic options. Left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart disease by 30%, affecting your overall well-being.
The team at Absolute Sleep, a trusted sleep apnea clinic in Perth, specialises in offering non-CPAP solutions, such as Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS), to help sleep apnea and snoring to significantly improve your quality of life.
Recognising the Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea
The first step in diagnosing sleep apnea is recognising the symptoms, many of which may not be obvious until the condition becomes severe. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Loud, frequent snoring: Often, bed partners are the first to notice this, especially when it is accompanied by gasping or choking sounds.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness: People with untreated sleep apnea often feel tired during the day, even after what seems like a full night’s sleep.
- Morning headaches: These can occur due to the body’s lack of oxygen during sleep.
- Difficulty staying awake: If you’ve got sleep apnea, you may find it hard to stay alert during the day, affecting your productivity and mood.
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat: Breathing through your mouth all night — often a result of disrupted airflow — can leave you parched or scratchy come morning.
- Restless sleep or frequent awakenings: People with sleep apnea often toss, turn, or wake up multiple times without realising it, leading to broken, poor-quality sleep.
- Difficulty concentrating or memory issues: That foggy feeling or forgetfulness during the day? It could be your brain struggling from lack of proper rest.
- Mood changes or irritability: Sleep deprivation can take a toll emotionally, causing you to feel more anxious, short-tempered, or down than usual.
- Waking up gasping or choking: Some people actually jolt awake struggling for air — this can be one of the most alarming signs of sleep apnea.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek help from a qualified sleep professional who can provide a thorough evaluation.
Step One: Initial Screening for Sleep Apnoea
The process of diagnosing sleep apnea begins with an initial screening. At Absolute Sleep, we use the STOP-BANG test, a simple and effective way to assess the likelihood of sleep apnea.
This test is an online questionnaire that asks eight yes/no questions related to symptoms such as snoring, tiredness and observed apnea, proving to be a valuable tool in helping identify individuals at higher risk of sleep apnea.
It’s important to note that the STOP-BANG test is a screening tool, not a diagnostic one. While it can’t diagnose sleep apnea, it helps identify individuals who may be at higher risk and should consider undergoing a sleep study for a definitive diagnosis.
Step Two: Sleep Studies and Diagnostic Tests
If the STOP-BANG test indicates a risk for sleep apnea, the next step is to conduct a more comprehensive sleep study. There are several types of sleep tests available:
- Polysomnography (PSG): Considered the gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea, this test records multiple bodily functions during sleep, including brain activity, heart rate, eye movements, oxygen levels, and breathing patterns. The results of a PSG can help determine the severity of sleep apnea and guide treatment decisions.
- At-Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT): For those who prefer to test in the comfort of their home, HSAT can be a viable option. This test records similar data to a PSG but is typically less comprehensive and may not detect all forms of sleep apnea.
- Overnight Oximetry: A simpler test that measures oxygen levels while you sleep, though it is less precise than a PSG.
- Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): Primarily used for detecting excessive daytime sleepiness, this test is more commonly used in diagnosing conditions like narcolepsy.
Each test has its strengths and is chosen based on your symptoms and medical history. Your healthcare provider will discuss which test is right for you.
Step Three: Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
Once the test results are available, your chosen sleep apnea clinic will review them and provide a diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, the severity of the condition will be determined (mild, moderate, or severe), and an appropriate treatment will be discussed.
Absolute Sleep is a sleep apnea clinic in Perth, offering non-invasive treatment options, including Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS). These custom-made devices are an effective alternative to CPAP machines, especially for those who find CPAP uncomfortable or difficult to use. MAS devices are comfortable, portable and have a high long-term compliance rate, making them an excellent option for many patients.
Sleep better, be healthier—book your consultation to learn more about how a mandibular splint for sleep apnea can change your life today.
