WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?
Sleep apnea is a sleep‑related breathing disorder in which airflow stops—or drops dramatically—for at least 10 seconds during sleep. The interruption can be:
* Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – the airway collapses despite continued respiratory effort.
* Central sleep apnea – the brain temporarily fails to send signals that drive breathing, so there is no effort or airflow.
* Mixed (or complex) apnea – an event begins as central (no effort) and then converts to obstructive (effort resumes but airflow remains limited).
These repeated pauses lead to drops in blood oxygen levels, brief arousals from sleep, fragmented sleep architecture, and the classic symptoms of loud snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, excessive daytime sleepiness, and reduced overall sleep quality. The frequency of these events is usually expressed as an apnea‑hypopnea index (AHI)—the number of apneas plus hypopneas per hour of sleep.
DO I HAVE SLEEP APNEA?
Typical signs and symptoms of sleep‑apnea syndromes
| Category | Common manifestations |
|---|---|
| During Sleep |
• Loud, chronic snoring (often reported by a partner) • Witnessed pauses in breathing or “gasping” episodes • Sudden choking or coughing noises that end an apnea • Restless sleep with frequent body movements or limb‑movement spikes (e.g., PLMS) • Frequent arousals that the sleeper may not remember |
| Morning / Upon Waking |
• Feeling unrefreshed or “non‑restorative” sleep • Morning headache • Dry mouth, sore throat, or excessive throat clearing • Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) – tendency to nap, difficulty staying awake during routine activities |
| Daytime Functional |
• Concentration problems, memory lapses, “brain fog” • Irritability, mood swings, or depressive symptoms • Decreased performance at work or school • Impaired driving safety (microsleeps) |
| Nocturia & Autonomic |
• Repeated awakenings to void (nocturia), often linked to the hypoxic stress of apneas • Elevated resting heart rate, hypertension, or other cardiovascular signs that may be discovered on routine exams |
| Physical Findings (exam) |
• Overweight/obesity, especially central adiposity • Large neck circumference (> 17 in for men, > 16 in for women) • Crowded oropharyngeal airway – enlarged tonsils, a small jaw (retrognathia), high‑arched palate, or a deviated septum |
| Other Possible Clues |
• Morning fatigue that does not improve with adequate time in bed • Decreased libido or sexual dysfunction • Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms that worsen at night |
Note: Not every person will have all of these features, and the severity of symptoms often correlates with the apnea‑hypopnea index (AHI) and the presence of comorbidities such as systemic hypertension or cardiovascular disease. If several of the above signs are present—especially loud snoring combined with daytime sleepiness—a formal overnight polysomnography is usually recommended to confirm the diagnosis.
HOW CAN I SET UP A SLEEP STUDY?
There are some requirements whether you plan to be self pay or go through insurance. Regardless we will need the following in order to get started:
1. Signed Order – physician requisition with test type.
2. Clinical Notation – detailed notes from your physician explaining the need for sleep testing; these should include pre-existing comorbidities, your personal sleep related issues, along with any other relevant information.
3. Demographics – your identifying information such as your name, dob, contact information, insurance, etc.
Here at Sleep Telemedicine Services we will verify your benefits & work to obtain authorization first before scheduling. It is our way to ensure that you get the coverage you pay for. If we are out of network, or authorization must be obtained by your primary care; we will be sure to inform you so that you're updated on every part of the process.