Polygraphy / sleep study
Cardiorespiratory polygraphy is a sleep medicine examination used to detect sleep-related breathing disorders.
This examination can be useful for the following problems:
- memory and concentration problems, depression, dementia
- increased daytime sleepiness, microsleep, exhaustion, burnout
- difficulty falling or staying asleep, unrefreshing sleep
- persistent heartburn, reflux or irritating cough
- snoring (the louder, the more likely), pauses in breathing, shortness of breath
- atrial fibrillation and other heart rhythm disorders
- after a stroke, heart attack, stent or bypass surgery
- calcification of the carotid arteries
- high blood pressure (no drop at night)
- difficulties treating obesity, diabetes, fatty liver
For this, the following is measured at your home with a small portable device:
- airflow and pauses in breathing
- movements of the abdomen and chest
- body position (side or back, etc.)
- oxygen saturation in the blood
- snoring sounds (which is why it is often called a “snoring test”)
Our staff will explain the “wiring” to you in detail; it looks like this:
If an outpatient polygraphy gives an abnormal result, a more detailed sleep study in a sleep laboratory usually follows. There, a CPAP mask can also be fitted individually if needed.