Sleep apnoea test

Sleep apnoea is a condition that causes your breathing to stop and start multiple times during the night. There are different types of sleep apnoea but the most common is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

OSA occurs because the muscles and tissues around your airway relax too much when you are asleep. This causes your airway to close.

Your brain senses this closure of your airway and wakes you up so that your airway reopens. However, you will usually not remember these periods of waking but will feel extremely tired in the daytime.

What is a sleep apnoea test?

A sleep apnoea test is used to diagnose sleep apnoea, which includes OSA.

An obstructive sleep apnoea test uses special equipment to record breathing patterns while you sleep and track whether you stop breathing for a short time, which can affect your oxygen levels and overall health.

You’ll have the device fitted at our clinic and go home to record the results while you sleep.

Reasons for having a sleep apnoea test

If you have symptoms of sleep apnoea, you may want to have a sleep study to determine whether this is the underlying cause. Symptoms include:

• Daytime tiredness
• Loud snoring
• Morning headaches
• Pauses in breathing during sleep
• Poor concentration

Is a sleep apnoea test right for you?

Your doctors may recommend a sleep apnoea test if:

• You have symptoms of disrupted breathing during sleep
• You have risk factors like obesity or high blood pressure

It may not be right for you if:

• You can’t use the monitoring equipment safely or comfortably at home
• Your symptoms are more likely to be due to another condition, like insomnia or anxiety

Your healthcare team will assess your symptoms and medical history before recommending testing.

What happens after a sleep apnoea test?

The morning after your sleep study, you’ll return to the hospital to give your equipment back. Your consultant will advise you approximately how long the results will take to come back.

At Spire Healthcare, the main type of sleep apnoea test we offer is called an ApneaGraph. An ApneaGraph uses a pressure monitoring system to record breathing patterns and oxygen saturation levels as you sleep. This helps identify whether you have sleep apnoea and the location of the obstruction causing it.

The ApneaGraph consists of:

• A chest belt
• A small device to measure pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels
• A small tube containing sensors
• The Apneograph recorder

Your healthcare team will place the small tube through your nose and into your throat. The other end will be connected to the ApneaGraph recorder, which collects the information as you sleep.

You’ll also have a device measuring your pulse rate and oxygen levels taped to your index finger. It takes around 30 minutes to get you set up and ready to go home. You’ll wear a small chest belt to keep the data recorder in place for the rest of the day, and if you move around while sleeping.

You should be able to continue your normal life, including eating and drinking, that evening. It may feel a little awkward at first, but most people get used to the equipment quickly and can sleep normally.

Before the procedure, and how to prepare for the test

You’ll have a consultation with a healthcare professional where you can explain your medical history, symptoms, and raise any concerns that you might have.

Let your healthcare team know about any medications you currently take. They may advise you to avoid caffeine and alcohol before your sleep study, to give the best chance of getting accurate results. If you take sleeping tablets, you may be asked not to take them on the evening of your sleep apnoea test.

You’ll receive an appointment to come in and have the equipment fitted. You’ll need to wear a loose-fitting t-shirt for your appointment so it's easy to set up the ApneaGraph. This means you’re less likely to knock the equipment out of place when you get changed for bed. Otherwise, you can wear something you feel comfortable sleeping in.

Who will be involved?

We pride ourselves on giving patients control over their care. You can choose which consultant to work with, and they’ll support you every step of the way.

Your care team will likely include:

• A highly qualified sleep specialist (such as a respiratory consultant)
• Sleep technicians who set up and monitor the test
• Specialist nurses or healthcare assistants

Our expert team follows the highest clinical standards in our well-equipped hospitals. Many of our staff are known across the world for their research in their specialised field.

The test

How long does the test take?

The sleep apnoea test takes place overnight. You’ll wear the monitoring equipment for 1 night and attend a follow-up appointment the next day to return the equipment to the hospital. If the test results are inconclusive, you may need to repeat it.

Is the test painful or uncomfortable?

A sleep apnoea test is not painful, but you may find wearing the sensors and having the sleep apnoea test machine in bed with you slightly uncomfortable. Most people adjust quickly and can sleep well enough to get accurate results from their test.

What happens straight after the test?

The morning after your sleep study, you’ll have an appointment to have the equipment removed and returned to the hospital. Your consultant will then arrange a follow-up appointment so they can review the recorded data and give you your results.

Results are usually available within a few days or weeks.

Your doctor will explain:

• Whether you have sleep apnoea
• How severe it is
• What treatment options are available

You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any next steps. If the test was inconclusive, your doctor will talk you through repeating it.

If you have sleep apnoea, you’ll receive a score called an AHI score. This shows how severe your sleep apnoea is. For example:

• AHI of 5 to 14 = mild
• AHI of 15 to 30 = moderate
• AHI over 30 = severe

Treatment options

Your consultant will discuss treatment options with you if you’re diagnosed with sleep apnoea.

CPAP machine

Treatment options may include using a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. You’ll be given a machine with a mask connected that you wear while sleeping to deliver a steady, gentle stream of pressurised air into your airway. This helps to keep your airways open and prevents the symptoms of sleep apnoea.

Dental devices

If a CPAP machine isn’t enough or doesn’t work well for you, you may be prescribed a dental device like a mandibular advancement splint. This fits over your teeth like a mouth guard and holds your jaw forward.

Lifestyle changes

You may also be advised to make lifestyle changes to help reduce the severity of your symptoms. These may include:

• Avoiding sleeping pills, unless recommended by your GP
• Avoiding drinking too much alcohol, particularly before bedtime
• Keeping active
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Maintaining good sleep habits, like a regular bedtime or keeping the room quiet and dark
• Stopping smoking

Complications are uncommon, but possible minor issues include:

• Difficulty sleeping during the test
• Mild discomfort from wearing monitoring equipment
• Skin irritation from sensors

There’s also a chance of getting inconclusive results, so you may need to repeat the test. At-home sleep apnoea tests aren’t as reliable as hospital-based overnight sleep studies, but they do usually provide enough information for a diagnosis or to rule out sleep apnoea.

For the best chance of accurate results, make sure you follow any preparation instructions provided by your consultant.

Risks associated with sleep apnoea

Sleep apnoea can cause interrupted sleep and excessive daytime tiredness, which can impact your concentration, mood and overall quality of life. It can also increase the risks associated with surgeries and sedation, as your breathing may be affected during these times. Some medications, including sedatives and strong pain relief, can make the symptoms of sleep apnoea worse.

If you’re prescribed a CPAP machine, it’s really important that you use it as advised by your consultant.