Polysomnography reliably detects sleep disorders
Polysomnography is the most reliable and accurate test for evaluating sleep. With this non-invasive method of sleep testing, numerous types of sleep disorders are diagnosed or ruled out.
Sleep is one of the basic physiological needs. It is vital for the mental and physical health and general well-being of the individual. All living things sleep, from single-celled organisms to the most complex, so sleep is a biological necessity.
Polysomnography is the most reliable and accurate test for evaluating sleep. With this non-invasive method of sleep testing, numerous types of sleep disorders are diagnosed or ruled out.
During the test, the person is connected to a device that monitors the activity of the heart, lungs and brain, the structure of breathing, arm and leg movements, as well as the level of oxygen in the blood during sleep.
The advantage of polysomnography is the fact that the examination is performed simply and does not bring discomfort or pain to the patient.
It is carried out in one night in the polyclinic, and it gives our sleep specialists, i.e. somnologists, a detailed insight into your sleep and potential sleep disorders.
Sleep disorders are divided into several groups consisting of: insomnia, sleep disorders associated with breathing disorders (apnea), hypersomnia, circadian sleep rhythm disorders, parasomnias, sleep disorders associated with movement disorders and other sleep disorders.
One of the most common sleep disorders is insomnia. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three adults doesn’t get enough sleep, and nearly 40% of people fall asleep during the day due to lack of sleep.
In Croatia, it is estimated that about 26% of the population suffers from insomnia , 15% from mild, and
11% of the heavier form. Insomnia is one of the most common symptoms in medicine in general, it is the 3rd most common reason why people seek medical help.
Insomnia can be defined as a condition when there are difficulties with falling asleep or maintaining sleep , or there is a premature awakening. These problems occur despite appropriate circumstances and sleep opportunities and cause difficulties in daily functioning.
Timely diagnosis of insomnia is extremely important because this sleep disorder has a direct impact on a person’s daily functioning and quality of life.
Tests such as polysomnography play a significant role in the diagnosis of insomnia because they allow quantitative and qualitative testing of sleep.
Another common sleep disorder is obstructive sleep apnea, which is characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep. It is estimated that approximately 1 billion people in the world suffer from obstructive sleep apnea .
In addition to being one of the most common sleep disorders, it is often an unrecognized medical problem. According to research, about 90% of patients with sleep breathing disorders are not diagnosed.
If not treated in a timely manner, long-term sleep disorders can cause more serious consequences for our health.
Sleep disorders result in poorer concentration during the day, cause mood disorders, drowsiness, reduced motivation, increase the number of mistakes and accidents and behavioral problems (hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggression).
In addition to the above, they increase the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease and death.
The tests used in diagnosing sleep disorders are polygraphy, endoscopy in sleep and polysomnography.
The significance of polysomnography is that this test provides extremely detailed data on the patient’s sleep and it is possible to make a reliable diagnosis of a particular sleep disorder.
The procedure of polysomnography is very simple. It is performed in the polyclinic for one night (minimum 6 hours) under the control of a sleep technician.
At the very beginning, our staff will explain to you what will be measured during sleep and why. The sleep technician will then set up several sensors for you so that we can analyze your sleep data.
Before performing the test itself, it will be necessary to fill out a questionnaire about sleep and lifestyle habits. We will measure your height, weight, pulse and pressure, then you will go to a room where you will spend the night during which polysomnography will be done.
When coming to the polysomnography, it is necessary to bring with you everything you need for a comfortable sleep, pajamas and personal hygiene products (toothbrush, comb, etc.). For testing, it is necessary to have clean hair without preparations or gels, as they can interfere with the operation of the sensor.
On the day of the examination, you should avoid afternoon sleep and excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol. It is not allowed to take sleeping pills.
If you are taking a regular therapy, be sure to mention it in a conversation with our doctor who will advise you on which medications should be avoided.
If you are sensitive to changing pillows or use a special sleeping pillow (for example, anatomical), feel free to bring your own.
If desired, bring a newspaper, magazine or book to help you relax before going to bed. The use of mobile phones, tablets and watching television is not allowed because electronic devices can disturb falling asleep and sleeping.
After preparing for bedtime, we proceed to perform the examination. First, we will set up a few sensors that you will have during the night to collect sleep data.
During polysomnography, we measure the activity of the heart, lungs and brain, arm and leg movements, breathing and the level of oxygen in the blood.
At the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic , we use a modern device for polysomnography that enables comfortable performance of the examination and free movement of the patient. We recommend that you watch a video about the polysomnography device to get acquainted with the test more closely.
Polysomnography parameters:
After a good night’s sleep, the recorded parameters will be carefully analyzed by our sleep specialists to detect possible abnormalities such as stopping breathing. Based on the results obtained, we will suggest therapy and a reunion to discuss various treatment options.
Sleep is a fundamental human need such as food, drink, and breathing. Sleep problems negatively affect mental and physical health and lead to reduced attention span and increase the risk of injury.
Quality sleep is important for health and the restoration of our mental functions, especially for concentration, memory and executive functions.
Every third person suffers from insomnia at some point in their lives, most often caused by stress or a change in life circumstances. Short-term insomnia does not have to have long-term negative consequences on health, that is, they disappear with normalization of sleep.
Problems arise when insomnia turns into a chronic form and causes changes in mental and physical health.
Obstructive breathing apnea is characterized by stopping breathing during sleep for 10 seconds or more. Snoring is one of the most recognizable symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. It is more common in men of older age. It is often overlooked as an essential symptom of OSA.
Not recognizing the symptoms of sleep disorders is a major factor in delaying the treatment of sleep-related diseases.
Due to insomnia, the relative risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases by 2% each year, and mortality increases by 10-12% from any cause in people who sleep less.
Sleep disorders can occur at any age, including in children.
They are characterized by the presence of fatigue during the day, a feeling of lack of sleep, irritation and frustration due to insufficient sleep. Age and gender are the most prominent risk factors for developing insomnia. There is a higher incidence of insomnia in women and in the elderly.
The reason for the occurrence of insomnia in old age is not clearly defined, it may be related to a decrease in the functionality of the sleep control system. Insomnia in women is more common at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and at the beginning of menopause.
The main risk factor for the development of obstructive sleep apnea is obesity.
According to research, a body mass index of more than 29 kg/m² increases the risk of developing OSA tenfold . Age and gender are also significant risk factors for apnea, it is more common in people over 30 years of age, in men, but also in menopausal women.
Polysomnography is an extremely important method in diagnosing sleep disorders. Thanks to the fact that this test observes several factors during sleep, including breathing, heart rate and blood oxygen saturation, it is possible to detect a specific sleep disorder.
Given the complexity and impact of sleep disorders on organ systems, a quantitative sleep test alone is not enough to make a diagnosis. Qualitative testing of all phases during sleep is necessary, which is made possible by polysomnography.
If you want to examine your own sleep in more detail and investigate the existence of symptoms of insomnia and other sleep disorders, we recommend filling out the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. It is a questionnaire for self-assessment of sleep over a period of one month.
The appropriate duration of sleep for an adult is 7 – 8 hours, during which we go through several sleep cycles.
The stages of sleep consist of the NREM cycle, named for the fact that there are no rapid eye movements. non-rapid eye movement) and REM cycles , named after the presence of rapid eye movements. rapid eye movement).
NREM cycles consist of 3 phases: N1 phase of superficial sleep from which we wake up easily, N2 phase of slightly deeper sleep that is still superficial so we can easily wake up, and N3 phase of deep sleep necessary for the restoration of brain function and morning feeling of rest and freshness.
In the last NREM phase, there is a slowdown in breathing, a drop in blood pressure and muscle relaxation, and
release of hormones (e.g. growth hormone). REM sleep occurs for the first time after about 90 minutes of sleep and lengthens towards the morning.
In the REM phase, the activity of our brain is similar to the waking state, but the body is asleep and the muscles are relaxed. We dream throughout the night, but dreams in REM sleep are much more vivid and with emotional accompaniment. Frequent waking up during the night makes it impossible to achieve the N3 and REM sleep phases, which consequently means the absence of the invigorating effect of sleep.
Depending on the cause of the sleep disorder, there are several therapeutic procedures that can be applied for the purpose of treatment. The introduction of proper sleep hygiene in people with a milder form of sleep disorder has a very good effect.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a structured program that helps identify thoughts and behaviors that cause sleep problems. You will learn to replace these thoughts and behavioral patterns with habits that promote healthy sleep.
The CPAP machine is known and very effective in treating people with a severe form of obstructive sleep apnea. It is a mask that is worn during sleep and provides breathing support with continuous positive pressure.
If the cause of the sleep disorder is breathing difficulties caused by airway problems, surgery that widens the airway in the right place is the right choice.
The main goal of LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch healthcare services.
