The Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea
Diagnosis of sleep apnea can be done by both subjective and objective methods. An example of a subjective method that measures the effects of obstructive sleep apnea on patients is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. It is a self-report test that establishes the severity of sleepiness. Self reported subjective measures such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale usually are combined with a thorough medical history. This history may include things like work performance, daytime sleepiness, driving and accident history, nap times, falling asleep during meetings, and decreased memory. Next, a very thorough physical examination is performed on the patient to examine all the areas of possible airway collapse. In the nose, this includes the septum, nasal polyps, adenoid hypertrophy, and nasopharynx. In the mouth- the palate, tonsils, uvula, pharyngeal walls, and neck circumference are all examined. Polysomnography is also a test commonly performed on sleep apnea patients to diagnose what the problem is.