How is obstructive sleep apnea primarily diagnosed?

Obstructive sleep apnea is primarily diagnosed through a polysomnography study, which is a comprehensive sleep study performed in a sleep clinic. Polysomnography records brain activity, oxygen levels in the blood, heart rate, and breathing, as well as eye and leg movements during sleep. This extensive monitoring allows healthcare professionals to identify specific patterns of sleep disruption, such as apneas (pauses in breathing) and hypopneas (shallow breathing), which are characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea.

While other methods, such as questionnaires or physical examinations, can provide valuable initial insights and raise suspicion of sleep apnea, they cannot definitively diagnose the condition. Likewise, imaging studies like CT scans may reveal anatomical abnormalities but do not provide the detailed functional insights needed to diagnose sleep apnea. Home sleep tests can also be used in certain cases, but they are typically considered secondary to polysomnography for a comprehensive evaluation, particularly in complex cases. Thus, polysomnography remains the gold standard for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea.