Comprehensive sleep apnea screening

What is sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing stops or is significantly restricted during sleep. These pauses lead to a decrease in blood oxygenation and repeated awakenings of the body - often without the patient's awareness.

The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea, caused by the collapse of the upper airway.

Symptoms you should not ignore

Screening is especially appropriate if you experience:

• loud and regular snoring,
• sleep apnea (observed by your partner),
• excessive daytime fatigue and sleepiness,
• morning headaches,
• poor, unrefreshing sleep,
• concentration and memory problems,
• irritability, mood swings,
• high blood pressure that does not respond well to treatment.

How comprehensive sleep apnea screening is performed at the Vasmedic clinic

Comprehensive sleep apnea screening at the Vasmedic clinic is performed in several consecutive steps to ensure that the diagnosis is as accurate as possible and comfortable for the patient:

1. Initial ENT examination

The examination begins with a thorough ENT examination, during which the doctor assesses the patency of the upper airways, the condition of the nose, nasopharynx, pharynx, and soft tissues that may affect snoring and the development of sleep apnea.

2. Loan of a monitoring device for home use

This is followed by the loan of a device for home sleep monitoring.

The patient undergoes the examination in their natural environment while sleeping. The device records:

• breathing,
• breathing pauses,
• snoring,
• blood oxygenation,
• heart rate.

3. Evaluation of results by a doctor

After the device is returned, the doctor will professionally evaluate the data and determine whether there are signs of sleep apnea and to what degree.

4. Possible referral to a sleep laboratory

If the results indicate moderate or severe sleep apnea, the patient is referred for further specialized examination at a sleep laboratory or, if necessary, for targeted treatment (e.g., CPAP therapy).

This procedure allows for quick, clear, and comfortable diagnosis without unnecessary hospitalization.

The professional guarantor of comprehensive sleep apnea screening at the Vasmedic clinic is MUDr. Jan Burian, MBA, who is the direct guarantor of two sleep laboratories.

Thanks to this direct professional connection, continuity of care is ensured – from the initial ENT examination and home monitoring specialized diagnosis and treatment in a sleep laboratory, including therapy adjustment for patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea.

Why early diagnosis is important

Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of:

• high blood pressure,
• cardiac arrhythmias,
• myocardial infarction and stroke,
• type 2 diabetes,
• traffic and work accidents due to fatigue.

Early screening allows treatment to be started before permanent consequences occur.

How to prepare for the examination

• No special preparation is required,
• Avoid alcohol and sedatives on the day of the examination,
• Keep to a normal sleep schedule,
• Bring a list of medications you are taking with you.