Diagnosing Sleep Apnea Cumming
Confirm the Cause of Your Sleep Problems
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause some very noticeable symptoms. However, that does not mean that it is self-diagnosable. Rather, this condition should be diagnosed by a qualified medical practitioner. From there, you can start to explore your treatment options. But what exactly is involved in diagnosing sleep apnea in Cumming? This page outlines some key factors that your care provider should look for.
Medical History
Your medical history can play a big role in helping your care provider determine if sleep apnea is the cause of your sleep problems. You may have to fill out a long form that asks questions about things like:
- Sleep apnea symptoms, including snoring, insomnia, and daytime fatigue.
- Family history of sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.
- Whether or not you use (or have used) tobacco.
- Your typical alcohol consumption.
- Your weight (obesity is a major risk factor for sleep apnea).
- Systemic health conditions that are often correlated with sleep apnea, such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
Physical Exam
There are several aspects of human anatomy that might contribute to sleep apnea. For example, if your neck is larger than 17 inches (for men) or 16 inches (for women), you may be at a higher risk. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or a thick tongue, may also play a role in nighttime breathing disruptions. The size and positioning of your upper and lower jaws can be very important as well.
A thorough physical exam can help your care team to identify such anatomical issues, which can help them arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
Ruling Out Other Factors
Some risk factors for sleep apnea are relatively uncommon, but they should still be considered during the diagnostic process. For example, some women develop sleep problems when they experience fluctuations in their hormones. The use of opioids and certain other medications should also be talked about; a blood test may be needed to determine if these are in your system.
You should also be sure to tell your sleep physician if you have recently visited anyplace with an elevation of 6,000 feet or higher. Many people experience sleep apnea symptoms for a few weeks after being exposed to the lower oxygen levels that are present at high elevations.
Sleep Testing
If the initial screening process makes it seem likely that you have sleep apnea, your doctor will arrange for you to undergo a sleep test, which is a non-invasive diagnostic service. Sophisticated machines will monitor you for a night, and then a sleep expert will review the results. You will then find out for sure if you have sleep apnea and how severe your condition is.