Sleep apnoea test at Spire Dunedin Hospital

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is defined as the cessation of airflow during sleep preventing air from entering the lungs caused by an obstruction. When you experience an episode of apnoea during sleep your brain automatically wakes you up, usually with a very loud snore or snort. In order to breathe again. people with sleep apnoea can experience these wakening episodes many times during the night and consequently may feel very sleepy during the day.

Sleep apnoea tests are used to help determine the levels and the severity of the airway blockages that you may have. The results can then be used to help determine what treatments may be effective for you.

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You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

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Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

Depending on your needs and your consultant, there are a variety of sleep apnoea tests.

Apneagraph

Apneagraph uses a pressure monitoring system to record breathing patterns and oxygen saturation levels as you sleep to identify if you have sleep apnoea and also the location of the obstruction that is causing it. This helps us to identify the treatments that will give you the greatest chance of successfully treating the causes of your snoring.

To set up the Apneagraph, a small tube containing sensors is placed through the nose and into the throat (the oesophagus). The other end of the tube is connected to the Apneagraph recorder that collects the information as you sleep. Additionally a small device will be taped to your index finger to measure pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels. It takes approximately 30 minutes to set up the Apneagraph and you will need to wear a loose fitting t-shirt for your appointment, or something you are comfortable sleeping in.

Once the Apneagraph is set up, you can go home with the Apneagraph sensors in place and a small chest belt which houses the data recorder. All equipment will be positioned so that you can continue your life as normal, including eating and drinking that evening. An appointment will be made for you to come back the following morning to have the Apneagraph recorder and sensors removed.

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Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.