Polysomnography is also known as Sleep Disorder Testing because it screens patients for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

During normal sleep the throat relaxes and breathing is steady.  However, if you have OSA your throat relaxes too much or narrows, this may lead to snoring or the stopping of breathing altogether. This can last for 10 to 60 seconds while you try to breath, but with little or no air going in or out of your lungs because of the obstruction of the airway. This pattern may lead to the body not getting its oxygen needs met.

Because of OSA and the subsequent oxygen debt during sleep, your body’s tissues may be starved for oxygen until the body defense mechanisms take over. You then may gasp or snort and awaken for a few seconds and start breathing again. Then fall back to sleep and the cycle repeats itself, maybe several hundred times during the night. In the morning you may not remember waking up at all during the night.

Symptoms of OSA include loud snoring and daytime sleepiness, restless sleep, weight gain, depression, mood changes and memory loss. If left untreated, OSA can lead to cardiovascular complications and negative effects on mood, memory and performance of daily activities.

OSA is common and affects approximately 15 to 20 million Americans. It can be treated, and Willamette Valley Medical Center has an accredited Sleep Disorders Center to serve you.