Sleep Study (Polysomnography)

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person’s breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. As a result, the body does not receive enough oxygen. Sleep apnea can be diagnosed through a sleep study test. This test provides complete information about your sleep patterns. During this test, the following are monitored:

• Brain activity
• Heart rate
• Breathing pattern
• Blood oxygen level
• Body movements

Causes

Sleep apnea may occur due to the following reasons:

Physical Causes

• Enlarged tonsils
• Blockage of the airway
• Thick tongue
• Structural issues of the jaw

Lifestyle Causes

• Obesity
• Use of alcohol and smoking
• Increasing age

Symptoms

• Loud snoring during sleep
• Breathing stops repeatedly while sleeping
• Sudden awakening due to shortness of breath
• Frequent awakenings during sleep
• Feeling tired despite adequate sleep
• Headache after waking up
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling irritable or angry
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Poor work performance
• Memory problems
• Lack of focus in daily activities

Complications

If sleep apnea is not treated on time, it can lead to serious diseases, including:

• Heart attack
• High blood pressure
• Increased risk of paralysis (stroke)
• Irregular heartbeat
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Kidney disease
• Depression and anxiety

Availability

The sleep study test is available in Islamabad & Rawalpindi.