Sleep Studies and Polysomnography: The Role of Respiratory Technicians in Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Sleep disorders describe a group of conditions that affect the ability to sleep well on a regular basis. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common among sleep disorders and is defined as a disorder of breathing during sleep, characterized by repeated episodes of complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway (UA) that are usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. The likelihood of developing sleep apnea is also high in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among others. A sleep study is a test that records how a person sleeps and it is indicated if the person has symptoms suggestive of OSA. Polysomnography is the unique study used to diagnose and characterize these abnormalities. Respiratory technologists are graduates in Respiratory Therapy and have received formal training in polysomnography.