What is sleep apnea and how it is measured through monitoring device?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can prove to be quite serious if left untreated. This is characterized by sleep interruptions where the individual might stop breathing repeatedly during the sleep. In other words, during these interruptions there is no oxygen supply to the individual’s brain and the rest of the body.

There are two types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): This type is more common and occurs when there is a blockage in the airway. This occurs because the soft tissue in the back of the throat fails to operate in the normal way.

• Central sleep apnea: Here the airway is not blocked, but there is lack of signal to the brain muscles with regard to proper and continuous breathing. This occurs because the respiratory control center lacks stability.

How it is measure through monitoring device?

In order to diagnose Sleep Apnea a patient must undergo a polysomnography test. This is done in a sleep lab, where the patient has to spend the night in the hospital lab, while the equipment will record his/her physiological data.

Nowadays, one can conduct the test from the comforts of their home through the sleep apnea monitoring device namely sleep apnea monitors.

The device is small and portable. You need to insert your index finger in the device and tie it around your chest while the nose pipe should go round your nose while you sleep.

 

 

 

The device takes into account:

• The Airflow through the respiratory system 

• Pulse rate measurement

• Heart rate measurement

• Respiration effort measured via Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography (Type III monitor).

The next morning you can collect the data and show it to your general physician to find out about the seriousness of the ailment.

What are the benefits of Home Sleep Testing?

There are multiple benefits of using sleep apnea monitoring device at home. Some of these are mentioned below:

• All that the patient needs to do is put the sleep apnea monitors on and spend the night at his own house amidst familiar surroundings.   
• This device is really helpful, especially for all those patients who are elderly or are suffering from chronic illness or are under specialized care.

•  If you are busy professional who lacks time and is not feasible for you to spend the night in the hospital, you can use the device as well.

• Take into account cost factor. Using this device is relatively cheap compared to the cost charged for spending a night in the hospital lab.

What are Healthcare Professionals saying about Home Sleep Testing?

More and more health care professionals are recommending the use of this device at home. Compared to visiting the hospital lab, patients are found to be more willing to undergo this test when they were told that they can conduct it from the comforts of their home. 

There are many online stores that deal in sleep apnea monitors. Why don’t you browse through them? Read through the online reviews and client feedback to find out what they have got to say about the monitoring device. Accordingly take your pick and get the test done from the comforts of your home.