What is a sleep apnea monitor?

A sleep apnea monitor is a device designed to identify episodes of apnea, where a person stops breathing during sleep. Medical equipment for monitoring and apnea measurement is used in environments like sleep clinics where people go for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. The monitors are also available as apnea home accessories and can be used in the diagnosis and management of apnea. These devices are manufactured by many medical supplies companies and there are a number of models, with a range of features and accessories available.

Sleep apnea often goes unidentified until someone comes to notice that a person seems to stop breathing while sleeping. Apnea episodes are short and can occur several times during the night. People suffering from sleep apnea may experience daytime sleepiness and a variety of other medical problems. One of the ways a sleep apnea monitor is used is in tracking a patient suspected of having sleep apnea, which allows a doctor to detect episodes and collect information about their duration.

In a sleep clinic, the monitors are worn and a patient is observed during sleep. Some people find it hard to sleep well in a sleep clinic because it is an unknown environment and the monitoring equipment is uncomfortable. Alternatively, a patient can be sent home with a sleep apnea monitor. When the monitor is returned the next day, the data it records can be examined by a doctor.

For the management of apnea, some doctors may recommend that patients wear a sleep apnea monitor. The monitor provide feedback on how a treatment program is effective. In addition, it can alert patients and doctors to developing other symptoms or worsening episodes of apnea. The monitor can be used to determine whether a patient should consider surgery or several aggressive treatments for apnea.

A common way to monitor apnea is pulse oximetry, where a device is snapped onto a patient's finger to measure oxygen levels in the blood. If the oxygen content decreases, the patient may be having an episode of apnea. Another type of sleep apnea monitor is a device connected to a continuous positive pressure (CPAP) machine to record the patient's breathing at night. Monitoring nasal pressure can be used in a similar way. The reliability of such devices is variable, and in general, more reliable devices are more expensive. Patients may be able to access high-quality equipment for rent, offering more options than would be available if they were purchasing sleep apnea accessories outright.

• Some sleep apnea monitors are attached to CPAP masks to monitor a patient's breathing during the night.
• Sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure.
• People suffering from sleep apnea may suffer from daytime sleepiness.
• Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea.