Have you undergone a sleep disorder test, for apnea?

One Comment

1. IAINTELLEN says:

   June 29, 2009 at 11:48 pm

   I work in a hospital that does sleep studies. You'll need to have a referral from your doctor to get to a sleep lab. They have very comfortable rooms (a lot like motel rooms). You go there at night and sleep. They monitor your vital signs (heart rate, breathing) and watch you via camera while you sleep. They watch your sleeping patterns to see what exactly your problem is. Sometimes, people with apnea are put on what's call C-PAP. It's a mask that fits over your nose and mouth while you sleep, and pushes air into your lungs. The machine is set up by a respiratory therapist, so it 'breaths' in a pattern set especially for you. People with apnea usually have their tongue pushed against their soft palate, closing the back of their throat. That's what causes the long periods of not breathing, then the gasping breaths. It keeps people from entering, or remaining in REM sleep. The most restful type of sleep. The air pressure from the C-PAP keep the airway opened. They often feel tired during the day, or find themselves sleeping or taking naps at odd times, as their bodies try to catch up on the sleep they miss at night. I've taken care of many patients who use C-PAP machines. Often they say they never realized how poorly they were sleeping until they start to get a good nights sleep. Many report feeling exceptionally well, some even great, but the machine may take some getting used to. I've never heard anyone say they found it so bothersome it wasn't worth the rewards.