The on duty nurse will then hook you up to a sleep and heart monitor which will register your sleep patterns and how many times a night you are waking or your heart is coming close to stopping. From there your doctor will decide the best course of action. Some hospitals also have visiting therapists who will visit your home, assist you in situating the monitor in a comfortable spot in your bedroom, will teach you how to attach the breathing hoses and tubes and help you situate the adjustable face mask, which should be comfortable and painless while sleeping. Your doctor might also advise a diet and exercise plan if you are overweight and might suggest a humidifier be ordered for attachment to the CPAP machine for patients who complain of dry or cold air within the attached hoses. The CPAP purpose is to push the air into the nasal passages and trache so that they do not collapse.
Dental attachments are also available that keep the mouth open and the airway clear during sleep.
Surgery is also available in severe cases, but most doctors will refuse to prescribe such measures until the patient has lost weight if weight might be the problem and until the patient has been on the PABS machine for a reasonable amount of time, hoping these two prescriptions combined will solve the patient s sleeping dilemma without having to go under the knife. If you believe you have sleep apnea you should contact The American Sleep Apnea Association, where you ll find a wealth of information on the subject and be able to clearly indicate if you suffer from this condition. You may also look up information regarding the nearest sleep study center to you at this website. If, after visiting this site, you indicate you are a sufferer of sleep apnea, you should consult your physician for a referral to a sleep study clinic and make an appointment with your physician so you might discuss your options and get his professional advice. Remember sleep apnea is a life threatening condition just like high blood pressure or many other health altering condition, that while treated are controlled and stabilized, left untreated can be damaging to the patient and life threatening.