Polysomnography

Polysomnography is a study performed mostly for analysing breathing disorders occurring in sleep – in patients suffering from what’s called sleep apnoea syndrome.

 

Sleep apnoea is a serious disorder characterised by abnormal pauses in breathing during sleeping. The pauses may bring:

  • loud snoring;
  • temporary arousal;
  • hypoxia;
  • increased blood pressure.
 

 
As a general rule, patients with sleep apnoea syndrome suffer from increased sleepiness (somnolence), headaches and hypertension (in daytime).

According to the medical guidelines, polysomnography should be performed in every patient that shows symptoms of:

1. snoring during sleeping, and sleepiness in daytime, or

2. snoring during sleeping and two or more of the following symptoms:

  • non-relaxing sleep
  • apnoea during sleep
  • restless sleep (tossing and turning)
  • insomnia with frequent arousals
  • lack of concentration
  • cognitive disorders
  • mood disorders
  • morning headaches
  • bizarre, restless dreams
  • gastroesophageal reflux
  • obesity
  • arterial hypertension
  • hypercapnea
  • co-existing disorders of the cardiovascular system
  • co-existing cerebrovascular diseases
  • dysrhythmia
  • feeling of respiratory tract constriction or congestion
  • pulmonary hypertension
  • pulmonary heart disease
  • polycythaemia

3. snoring during sleeping and employment associated with responsibility over other people’s safety (airplane pilots, bus or truck drivers)

 

The polysomnography is performed at night – in sleep. The patient needs to arrive in the afternoon, stays in the hospital overnight and the following morning goes back home. Test results with a commentary are available after a few days. Based on these results, the doctor determines a proper treatment and suggests it to the patient.

 

 

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