You can watch a video (MPEG for programs like Windows Media Player) about how Continuous Positive Airway Pressure works for Sleep Apnea patients by clicking this link (8.7MB - Broadband recommended).

If your doctor suspects that you have sleep apnea or any other sleeping disorder, he or she may order routine blood tests to check your blood hemoglobin, oxygen level, and carbon dioxide level. Your doctor may also order other tests to help identify what may be causing you to stop breathing during sleep. These tests might include:

• X-rays of the chest, neck, or sinuses

• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
  An EKG can tell you if you’ve had a recent heart attack or if you have other heart conditions.

• Echocardiogram
  An echocardiogram allows your doctor to measure your heart’s blood volume, and the speed and direction of blood flow. You will be asked to wear a small device on your chest that emits sound waves that will bounce off of your heart. The waves produce videos of your heart that your doctor will analyze.

• Nuclear scan

Your doctor will also recommend that you visit a certified sleep laboratory. At the lab, you will undergo a sleep test called a Polysomnography (pronounced PALL-e-som-nog-graph-e). This painless test is performed during an overnight stay in the sleep laboratory.

The sleep lab environment mimics a typical sleeping environment. So, you’ll be able to use the restroom and sleep as you would at home. The experts make every effort to make sure your experience in the lab is comfortable so that the test does not interfere with your sleep and they can collect accurate data.

During the test, you will have various electrodes attached to your face, chest, and legs while you sleep. The electrodes stick to your skin with an adhesive, similar to a bandage. These electrodes collect data on your sleep patterns, brain activity, eye movement, oxygen level, breathing, and the number of apneas you experience during the night. Sometimes, you will be asked to undergo another sleep test after you receive treatment for your condition to ensure that the treatment is successful.

For in-home diagnostics options, please see here.