How can sleep apnea be formally diagnosed?

Sleep apnea can be formally diagnosed through polysomnography (PSG) or home sleep apnea testing. Polysomnography is a comprehensive test that records various body functions while a person sleeps, including brain activity, eye movement, heart rate, respiratory effort, and blood oxygen levels. This detailed data allows healthcare providers to assess the severity and type of sleep apnea a patient may be experiencing.

Home sleep apnea testing is another effective method, particularly for patients who do not have severe comorbid conditions. These tests are usually less comprehensive than lab-based PSG but still measure key parameters necessary for diagnosis, including respiratory airflow, oxygen saturation, and heart rate. Both methods provide the necessary objective data to confirm the presence of sleep apnea and guide treatment options, making them the recognized standards for diagnosis.

While dental examinations might indicate some issues related to respiratory function during sleep, they cannot definitively diagnose sleep apnea. Questionnaires can help identify symptoms that suggest sleep apnea but do not provide the clinical data necessary for an official diagnosis. A physical exam may identify obvious anatomical issues that could contribute to sleep apnea, yet it lacks the objective measures required for diagnosis. Thus, polysomnography or home sleep apnea testing stands as the most reliable means of diagnosing sleep apnea.