To diagnose sleep-related disorders, sleep specialists may screening devices, questionnaires, actigraphs, apnographs, oximeters, overnight sleep studies, polysomnograms, home sleep studies and maintenance of wakefulness tests, among others.
After diagnosing the patient with a sleep disorder, there are many treatment techniques a sleep specialist may provide. These may include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, behavioral therapies (such as cognitive behavioral therapy), counseling, medical devices (such as oral devices for sleep apnea), modification of lifestyle (such as an improved diet or instituting a regular sleep schedule), prescription of medications, and other treatment techniques. Each patient’s specific lifestyle and diagnosis will affect the treatment plan developed by the sleep specialist, as no two patients have the same physiology and contributing factors.