Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) causes a person’s upper airway to collapse during sleep, stopping air from travelling to and from the person’s lungs. This may result in a dip in the level of oxygen in the blood.

When the person starts breathing again (often with a gasp), some may wake up briefly while others continue their sleep without being aware of what is happening. This pattern repeats through the night and in severe cases, this cycle happens hundreds of times a night.

Left untreated, OSA can be a dangerous condition. Its effects often lead to poor performance at work or school and increase the risk of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

 

Common signs of OSA include

OSA is a treatable condition – an early diagnosis of OSA can prevent health-related complications and produce a better quality of life.

  • Loud disruptive snoring
  • Choking or gasping for air with pauses in breathing during sleep
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Morning headaches
  • Nighttime gasping
  • Restless sleep
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Nightmares
  • Memory loss
  • Decreased attention and concentration
  • Performance deficiencies
  • Depression
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nocturnia
  • Impotence

 

Services & Procedures Offered

A Sleep Study or Polysomnogram(PSG) is a test procedure for sleep disorders, primarily Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and other snoring disorders. It is usually done during the night until the following morning where a subject’s sleep pattern is monitored throughout sleep. At SunMed, a Class 1 PSG as an attended Full-PSG is a distinct advantage over a sleep study conducted at home.

SunMed has a panel of experienced medical specialists that includes Respiratory/Chest, Neurology, and Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) doctors that are experienced in sleep disorders. SunMed also has a well-equipped Sleep Study Lab for Sleep Study tests and CPAP/BPAP for consultation and trials.

During a Sleep Study, the activities of the brain and heart, breathing, blood oxygen, snoring, chin and leg muscles, eye movement, etc. are monitored by sensors attached to the body. None of the sensors are painful or difficult to wear. These sensors record the measurements over 6-10 hours and transmit them to a computer when the data is recorded and analysed. There are no side effects as the Sleep Study tests are safe and painless.

Someone may accompany patient during the admission and preparation time, but would be required to leave after the test begins. Unless the patient is elderly and requires assistance, it is preferred that the patient sleeps alone so as to minimize any disturbance during sleep.