How is OSA diagnosed?

Medical History: Be prepared to give your Doctor medical and family history. Report incidence and frequency of any related symptoms and features, providing a written diary if possible. Also helpful is an audio recording to illustrate snoring patterns and characteristics and/or bed partner interview.
Physical Examination: Your Doctor will assess upper airway for abnormalities, assess upper body obesity and possibly take measurements of chest/body mass as well as neck circumference. An EKG may be ordered to display distinct heart rhythms.

Polysomnography Testing: Your Doctor may refer you for testing at a sleep center. These are typically overnight procedures involving electronic monitors and should be conducted by certified sleep study specialists or polysomnographers. Monitors will track the frequency and duration of apnea and hypopnea. These tests clearly show presence or absence of sleep-apnea, and indicate the severity of the problem. Continuously monitored functions include air flow, respiratory effort, blood oxygen level, snoring, and body position. Brain waves, eye movements, and muscle activity may also be monitored.

Multiple Sleep Latency Test: Involves machine testing of time it takes to fall asleep while lying in a quiet room during the daytime. For people without sleep-disorders, this takes about 10-20 minutes. People suffering from sleep-apnea usually take about 5 minutes. Based on the cumulative clinical picture, your Doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment

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