The first step in the management of Sleep Apnoea is to contact your GP who will refer you to a specialist Sleep Centre www.beacondentalsleep.ie where your referral letter will be triaged and you will be scheduled with one of our Consultants in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine. 

Your appointment will be scheduled as soon as an appointment is available, you will be contacted with the appointment detail and what to expect. 

The initial Consultation includes:

  • A full Respiratory assessment and the Consultant may then order some test to better assess and understand your symptoms.

The tests ordered could include:

  • A hospital Sleep Test (this involves an overnight test, where a lot of equipment is used to record a variety of information, necessary to reach a detailed diagnosis)  
  • A home sleep test (This is a sleep test carried out in your own home)
  • Blood tests (which can either be carried out with your GP or in the hospital)
  • Some respiratory tests, which may be carried out in the hospital.

Once all your tests results are completed, you will be scheduled for a review appointment. If Diagnosed with Sleep Apnoea, the diagnosis will be further divided into Mild, Moderate or Severe Sleep Apnoea. Your test results will discussed in detail with you and you may then be prescribed either C.P.A.P. (Continuous Positive Airways Pressure therapy) which is Mask therapy, generally ordered if you have a diagnosis of Severe Sleep Apnoea or Oral Appliance therapy. Patients diagnosed with Mild and Moderate Sleep Apnoea may often have the choice of Oral Appliance therapy or C.P.A.P. therapy, dependent on a variety of factors. 

Therapy is based on test results and many other factors which relate specifically to each patient in the best management of Sleep Apnoea. It is important to have a comprehensive discussion with your Consultant, to best understand the rationale for your treatment and how to manage your diagnosis. 

In the Beacon Dental Sleep Medicine Clinic www.beacondentalsleep.ie there is substantial support for all patient, at each step of the process in investigating, diagnosing and managing Sleep Apnoea. If you are concerned about any symptoms you may have or someone close to you may have, please contact us on (01)531-0088 or email info@beacondentalsleep.ie to discuss further.