Sleep Apnea and Polysomnography Testing
The syndrome of sleep apnea, abbreviated as OSAS (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome), is a widespread and chronic disorder characterized by repeated breathing interruptions during sleep, causing frequent awakenings in the affected individual and thus leading to fragmented and ineffective rest.
Sleep is essential for our mental and physical well-being; the lack of an effective sleep-wake cycle has adverse effects on our daily lives and health.
Factors contributing to the onset of this pathology are, generally, those that can cause upper airway narrowing, such as weight gain, the use of sleep-inducing medications, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Symptoms of sleep apnea are easily identifiable:
at night, the affected patient may experience habitual and persistent snoring, breathing pauses during sleep, excessive sweating, waking up with a choking sensation, and the need to urinate frequently;
during the day, a persistent feeling of fatigue and drowsiness, reduced attention span or impaired concentration, headaches, mood swings, and personality changes.
Timely diagnosis of sleep apnea is crucial because, over time, it can lead to various complications such as a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases (including arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, stroke, etc.), an increased risk of developing insulin resistance, and numerous psychological disorders such as depression and social difficulties.
Polysomnography: What It Is and What It Is Used For
Polysomnography is a diagnostic test performed while the patient sleeps, measuring:
- respiration
- heart rate
- blood oxygen levels
thereby detecting the presence of sleep apnea or, more generally, sleep disorders and rhonchopathy (snoring).
It is a straightforward, non-invasive, and highly reliable diagnostic procedure that analyzes objective data and physiological parameters across the various stages of sleep (REM and non-REM).
Based on a thorough evaluation of the findings, the medical specialist will be able to diagnose the nature of the sleep disorder and design the most appropriate treatment plan.
How Polysomnography Is Performed
Polysomnography monitors nocturnal cardiac and respiratory activity.
Pret Medica offers patients an overnight Polysomnography service utilizing a state-of-the-art polysomnograph, validated by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, AASM): a compact, watch-like wrist-worn device coupled with two sensors—one on the finger and another on the chest—eliminating the need for nasal cannulas as well as chest and abdominal belts, making the examination significantly more comfortable and accurate.
The device records key sleep parameters: snoring, heart rate, sleep apnea events, oxygen saturation, body positioning, and other metrics standard to conventional polysomnography. Furthermore, advanced software equips the device with a clinically validated algorithm that measures sleep stages (REM and non-REM), providing a comprehensive assessment of sleep architecture.
The device is provided to the patient, and sleep monitoring is carried out conveniently at home. It is suitable for most patients presenting with snoring and/or suspected OSAS, subject to medical consultation.
Upon returning the device, the specialist will analyze the data recorded throughout the night. The diagnostic report will then be reviewed during a diagnostic and therapeutic consultation, either in person or remotely (based on patient preference), between the physician and the patient.
If you need an ENT specialist, Dr. Lorenzo Sabatino is available—book your consultation today!