You wake up in the middle of the night to hear your partner say, “I can’t take it anymore!” You wonder what the reason for such a statement could be but quickly find out that it’s your snoring that’s causing frustration. Does this sound familiar? If you’ve learned that your snoring is waking the neighbors, it may be time to talk to your doctor about the possibility of sleep apnea. While your doctor may ask you several questions, one of the tried and true determinates is to perform a sleep study in Denver. Find out how this works and how long it can typically take.
What is Sleep Apnea?
If you stop breathing once or even a hundred times a night, it could be because of sleep apnea. This serious medical condition is the result of a blocked airway that prevents you from getting a restful night’s sleep. Not only can it make it more difficult for you to function during the day because of fatigue, but it can lead to serious health-related conditions associated with your respiratory and cardiovascular systems. It can also cause:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Decreased libido
- Impaired memory
- Memory loss
- Sudden death
Individuals with sleep apnea may experience:
- Extreme fatigue
- Loud snoring
- Dry mouth
- Moodiness throughout the day
- Gasping or stopped breathing while asleep
- Continual use of sleep aides
If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms mentioned above, it may be time to speak to your doctor. He may suggest a sleep study to determine if it is, in fact, sleep apnea.
How Does a Sleep Study Work?
Sleep studies are quite easy to perform. They may not look the part because of the wires and equipment, but it’s a painless test that will be beneficial to diagnosing sleep apnea. The sleep study, which is also known as a polysomnogram, is performed by a sleep technologist who will monitor you while you sleep.
Once you arrive for the study, the technologist will hook you up to specialized equipment that will monitor your brain, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing patterns. Once the study is over, your doctor will be able to look at the results and provide a proper diagnosis.
How Long Will It Take?
Sleep tests in Denver can vary between 9 and 10 hours. Once you arrive, you will spend a portion of this time speaking to the sleep tech, who will explain how the sleep study will be performed. In addition, you can expect it to take about 45 minutes to be hooked up to all the necessary equipment. To achieve the desired result, it is necessary that there be at least 6 hours of recording time while you are asleep.
Sleep apnea is a condition you don’t want to take lightly. While you may think it only causes you to snore or be sleepy throughout the day, it can cause serious damage to your overall health. To determine if you have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about a sleep study. The time it takes may just save your life.
About the Author
Dr. Gary Radz is an expert in the field of cosmetic dentistry. He is also the program director of sleep apnea studies at Rocky Mountain Dental Institute. Suffering from sleep apnea himself, he was placed on a CPAP machine only to discover he was unable to wear it. After researching and discovering that many dentists turn to oral appliances to treat sleep apnea, he made one and has been wearing it for the past 8 years with great success. Since then, he has dedicated himself to learning more and providing his patients with this type of care. To learn more, contact us via our website or by calling (303) 377-5337.