Diagnosis

Over 60% of people who regularly snore have some degree of sleep apnea. The vast majority of people who have sleep apnea are unaware that they have it.

The Sleep Study

The first step is to find out if sleep apnea is present and determine the degree of severity. This can only be done with an overnight sleep study. In the sleep study sensors record and measure breathing, snoring, oxygen levels, brain activity, cardiac activity, body position and body movements. The results are evaluated by a sleep physician, with a diagnosis made for both the presence and severity of sleep apnea.

The Importance of a Sleep Study

It is very important to determine not just whether sleep apnea is present but the severity of the apnea. The severity will determine which is the best treatment. It will also help determine how adjustments are made to a dental sleep appliance or a CPAP machine in order to achieve the optimal benefits.

Home Based Sleep Studies

Sleep studies have traditionally been done in a hospital.  Advances in technology have made it possible to have an accurate sleep study in the comfort of your own home. Sleepwise Clinic utilises the new generation Alice PDX home diagnostic device, from Philips Respironics.  The Alice PDX is used for both home and hospital based studies throughout the world.

The advantage of a home based study is that a patient can replicate their usual sleep in the comfort of their own bed. Home based sleep studies are inexpensive, with a large portion of the cost covered by Medicare.

Getting connected for the home sleep study

Our sleep technician will provide easy to follow instructions for you to attach the device and sensors just before you go to bed. Alternatively we can connect the sensors for you at our clinic and all you have to do is start the recording when you are ready to go to bed.

SleepWise Clinic can organise either a home based sleep study or a hospital sleep study, depending on the needs of the patient.