How to Diagnose Sleep Apneas

During the medical consultation, the doctor may ask the patient to maintain a diary of regular sleeping hours, recording the common problems noted during sleeping time. A bed partner or another family member can be used to record breathing or snoring habits, observed heart rate, etc. The doctor will also want to know the detailed family history related to sleep apnea. In case of children, the information about sleeping disorders is generally collected from the parent.

During the physical exam, the doctor generally checks the nose, throat, and mouth for the presence of extra tissues. In many cases, the doctor can diagnose sleep apnea through the combined physical exam and medical history. While adults with sleep apnea often have an enlarged tissue at the back of the mouth, the children with sleep apnea usually have enlarged tonsils.

Doctors often recommend a portable monitor for the home to test sleep apnea. This equipment is used to record blood oxygen level, nasal airflow, heart rate, and breathing activities.

Peripheral medical equipments required to test sleep apnea conditions are EEG for recording brain activity, EMG to record muscle activities, EOG to capture eye movements, ECG to monitor heart rate, nasal airflow sensor, and snore microphone to record snoring.