Sleep Apnoea Programme

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HEALTH CHECK PROCEDURE:

Sleep apnoea can be diagnosed with an overnight at-home sleep test called a ‘polysomnogram’ or ‘sleep study’. You can hire the appropriate equipment to perform the test at home; the machine will monitor your blood oxygen levels, brain activity, heart rate, and breathing.

The results are uploaded from the testing device and emailed to a sleep specialist (a doctor) who makes the diagnosis. In some cases, the patient may be required to visit a sleep specialist for more tests. Your Life Pharmacy and Unichem Pharmacists can also give you advice on managing the condition and making improvements to your sleep quality.

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Tips & Advice

Discuss a treatment plan with your healthcare professional.

Manage your weight through appropriate diet and exercise.

Quit smoking and reduce your alcohol intake.

Avoid the use of sedatives or sleeping tablets.

Why do I have sleep Apnoea?
There are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing sleep apnoea. These include:
1. Having a smaller or narrowed airway
2. Excessive weight
3. Smoking and alcohol
4. Ethnicity
5. Diabetes
6. Hypertension (high blood pressure)
What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnoea?

• Daytime sleepiness
• Loud snoring
• Waking up abruptly short of breath
• Irritability
• Mood changes
If you are unsure if this could be you, take our online sleep test to determine if you are eligible for a overnight take home sleep test.
What is involved in a Sleep Apnoea test?

If you’re at risk of sleep apnoea you can arrange a home sleep test with your local Life & Unichem pharmacy. No doctor referral is required, you can get tested for sleep apnoea straight away. The test is easy and comfortable to wear, no complicated wires or setup. When you're ready to go to sleep, simply attach the home sleep test device to your forehead as instructed by the pharmacy staff and carry out the instructions on the app. Return the home sleep test device to your pharmacy the next day for the data to be analysed by a sleep physician.You’ll get your results within 5-10 days and know if you have sleep apnoea or not. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnoea your pharmacy can put you on a 4 week trial of CPAP therapy immediately. The pharmacy fits you with a CPAP mask, monitors your results throughout the trial, and ensures your prescription for CPAP treatment is optimised for you.
How long do the results take?

Allow 5 - 10 days for the results to come back from the sleep specialist and we will contact you immediately with the results.
Understanding sleep Apnoea test results

The Apnoea Hypopnoea Index (AHI) is the most important number on your sleep apnoea test. It measures the number of times per hour you have an apnoea (when you stop breathing for short time) and/or a hypopnoea (when you partially stop breathing for a short time) while you’re asleep.
Are the results a conclusive diagnosis?

Once you have completed a full night sleep of at least four hours, return the device to the pharmacy. The data will be automatically sent to a sleep and respiratory physician for review. Once the store receives your results, you will be contacted immediately to go through your report and to explain the results. If you have sleep apnoea, the results will explain the severity of your sleep apnoea and recommended treatment options. Usually treatment involves trialling or purchasing a CPAP machine, mask and accessories which will help you have a better night sleep and improve your quality of life.