How is a Sleep Apnea Test Performed?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by the repeated stopping of breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. Its prevalence in our country varies between 5% and 10%.

What is a Sleep Apnea Test?

A sleep apnea test, also known as a "Polysomnography" (PSG),is performed when a patient or a family member reports symptoms such as snoring, stopping of breathing during sleep, waking up with a choking sensation, or excessive daytime sleepiness. The patient is monitored overnight in a sleep center where their brain activity, respiratory events, and several other parameters are recorded throughout the night.

Based on the results of the sleep test, the number of respiratory disturbances during sleep is determined, and if it exceeds normal limits, a diagnosis of sleep apnea is made.

Which Department Should You Visit for a Sleep Apnea Test?

A sleep apnea test is typically performed by pulmonologists (chest disease specialists). However, patients often first consult ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctors due to complaints of snoring. Given that the condition involves "stopping of breathing during sleep" or "sleep apnea," it is more appropriate for pulmonologists to evaluate the patient.

Who Should Undergo a Sleep Apnea Test?

A sleep apnea test is primarily recommended for patients who experience snoring, interrupted breathing during sleep, or excessive daytime sleepiness.

Other Conditions for Which a Sleep Test is Performed:

• Chronic insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Periodic limb movement disorder
• REM behavior disorder (where movements in dreams are physically acted out, such as kicking a partner, punching walls, falling out of bed, sleepwalking)

How is a Sleep Apnea Test Performed?

The sleep test can be performed in a sleep center or at home using portable devices. Electrodes are attached to the patient to monitor various parameters like sleep quality, breathing, oxygen levels, and body movements throughout the night.

What is Monitored During a Sleep Test

• Electrodes placed on the scalp monitor brain waves before and during sleep.
• Electrodes near the eyes help determine the sleep stage of the patient.
• Two electrodes placed on the chin record electrical activity during muscle movements.
• A 12-lead ECG monitors the heart rate during sleep.
• A belt placed around the abdomen detects abdominal movements during breathing, helping to distinguish between obstructive and central apnea.
• A sensor that monitors the patient’s sleeping position helps diagnose positional apnea by determining if apneas occur more frequently in a specific sleeping position.
• A pulse oximeter placed on the finger measures oxygen levels during sleep.

How Long Does a Sleep Apnea Test Take?

The sleep apnea test is performed at night. Patient admission to the sleep lab typically starts between 8:00 PM and 10:30 PM. It takes about 45 minutes for the sleep technician to attach the electrodes to the patient’s body.

Depending on the time the patient falls asleep, the sleep test usually concludes between 5:30 AM and 6:00 AM the next morning. You can plan to return home in the morning accordingly.

If narcolepsy (a sleep disorder) is suspected, a daytime sleep test is performed the following day after the regular sleep test and typically lasts around 8-9 hours.

Sleep Apnea Test Cost 2024

The average price of a sleep laboratory can vary between insured and uninsured patients. The price of sleep apnea testing ranges from 9,000₺ to 12,000₺.

How Long Does It Take to Get Sleep Apnea Test Results?

The time it takes to receive sleep apnea test results depends on the workload of the center where the test was performed. If done at a private center, results could be available the next day. However, this period can extend up to a week.

Hospitals Offering Sleep Apnea Testing

In Ankara, the hospitals offering sleep apnea testing include "Başkent Hospital," "Medikal Park Hospital," and "Gazi University Hospital."