How is sleep apnea primarily diagnosed?

Sleep apnea is primarily diagnosed through polysomnography, a comprehensive sleep study that records various physiological parameters during sleep. This method provides objective data regarding breathing patterns, oxygen saturation levels, heart rate, and brain activity. It allows healthcare professionals to observe the presence of apneas (pauses in breathing), hypopneas (shallow breathing), and other related disturbances that characterize sleep apnea.

Polysomnography is considered the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea. It gives a detailed overview of the patient's sleep architecture and can identify other contributing factors, such as sleep fragmentation. This depth of information is essential for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.

While physical exams and self-reported sleep quality can provide some insights and may lead to further investigation, they do not offer the comprehensive and objective data required to diagnose sleep apnea definitively. Similarly, assessing daytime performance alone does not confirm the presence of sleep apnea, as many other factors could contribute to daytime sleepiness or fatigue. Thus, polysomnography stands out as the most reliable diagnostic tool for this condition.