The most common way in which Sleep Apnea is diagnosed is by a sleep recording using a polysomnogram or PSG.  This test is painless and is done in a sleep laboratory or a sleep center.  PSG testing notes the activity of the brain, eye movement, muscle activity, breathing and heart rate, amount of air taken in and expelled from the lungs while asleep, and the percent of the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream.  this test not only disgnoses Sleep Apnea, but it also measures the severity of it.

The MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test) measures how fast a person falls asleep.  In this test the patient is permitted to fall asleep during the day whenever they feel sleepy.  During each time of sleep, the time it tollk to actually fall asleep is measured and recorded.  people who take less than 5 minutes to fall asleep usually require treatment for sleep disorders.  The MSLT is used to measure daytime sleepiness.

Continuous Positive Air Pressure or CPAP is a device that pumps a continuous flow of air to keep the airway open during sleep.  Some feel that this treatment is so effective and brings to much relief they say they feel like a new person.  Vitality is restored, the mind is clearer and restfulness is restored.  The CPAP device requires that the person wear a mask that attaches to tubing attached to the machine.  At first it feels very awkward, but after the first few nights, you easily become accustomed to the mask.  The results are well worth the adjustment!