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Sleep studies for snoring and apnoea are critical.

At The Sleep Therapy Clinics we often get calls from patients requesting treatment without having first undertaken a sleep study.  One every occasion, we refuse to treat them until they first do a diagnostic sleep study or polysomnogram.

The reason is simple:  In a study published recently in the Journal of Laryngology & Otology, a cohort of 31 supposed ‘simple snorers’ underwent overnight sleep studies (otherwise known as polysomnograms or PSG) to determine the real nature of their condition.  

The sleep studies found that only two were actually ‘simple snorers’.

Of the remainder, two suffered from upper airway resistance syndrome.  Nine (29 per cent) of the patients suffered from mild obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).  Seven (22.6 per cent) suffered from moderate OSA, and 11 (35.5 per cent) suffered from severe OSA.

The simple fact is, it's virtually impossible to determine whether a person is experiencing 'simple snoring', or the vastly more serious 'obstructive sleep apnoea' without first conducting a sleep study. 

Given the serious consquences of OSA, the study clearly demonstrates why sleep studies must form part of the assessment and treatment pathway even for supposed ‘simple snoring’.

Snoring is a loud, clear signal that the airflow into the body is disturbed.  If you snore, or know someone who does, arrange a sleep study for them.  With modern diagnostic technology, this can even be done in the comfort and privacy of their own bedroom so no overnight stay in hospital-based environment is required.

For further information, contact The Sleep Therapy Clinic.  Our friendly and caring treatment coordinators will organise all of the details for you, including the documentation necessary to get Medicare coverage.