Snoring (cont.)
What are some objective tests to measure sleepiness?
For someone who reports being sleepy during the day, it is sometimes helpful
to measure how sleepy he or she is. Also, after treatment of sleep problems, we
sometimes want to measure improvement in daytime sleepiness.
Sleepiness can be measured with a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT).
Basically, the MSLT measures how fast someone falls asleep during the day. It
must be done after an overnight sleep study (polysomnography) has documented
adequate opportunity for sleep the night before. The test is composed of four to
five
"naps" that last 20 minutes each and are spaced two hours apart. The person is
instructed to "try to fall asleep." The average time to fall asleep is
calculated for all four or five tests. A normal time would be greater than ten
minutes needed to fall asleep. Excessive sleepiness is defined as falling asleep
in less than five minutes.
The Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) also measures daytime sleepiness.
The person taking this test is instructed to "try to stay awake." This is
repeated for four 40-minute sessions, two hours apart. Not falling asleep in all
four tests is the strongest objective measure of the absence of daytime
sleepiness.
Some businesses use these tests to ensure that their employees are not
excessively sleepy while at work. Specifically, airline pilots and truck drivers
who experience sleepiness need to have a test to ensure public safety and
productivity at work. Unfortunately, there is no test that will guarantee that
someone will not fall asleep at his or her job or while driving.
What are the treatments for snoring?
The goals for the treatment of surgery may be difficult to determine. The
problem of snoring usually is a problem for the bed partner or roommate.
Therefore, successful treatment should also include the goal of achieving a
successful night's sleep for the bed partner or roommate. This makes treatment
of snoring a difficult challenge. For example, someone may have a successful
treatment if his or her snoring decreases from a jackhammer level to that of a
passing truck. If their bed partner is happy, then the snoring problem is
"cured." However, another person whose snoring decreases from a mild sound to
the level of heavy breathing may still have an unhappy bed partner.
It is wise to look at the "success" reports for various treatments with a
critical eye. If the number of nights that a bed partner has to leave the room
decreases from seven nights per week to one night per week, is that success?
Some would say that it is. However, the bed partner (or snorer) still has to
leave the room one night per week. It is important to know what the expectations
for a "cure" are before considering any treatments.
Next: What are some non-surgical treatments for snoring? »
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