Sleep Medicine Laboratory 

We offer a sleep apnea laboratory located in our neurology clinic, in which we have highly qualified sleep medicine specialists. Several of our physician specialists have been trained and received their specializations in some of the most prestigious European Clinics located in Germany and Switzerland.  

The sleep lab testing is provided over the course of two nights. During the first night, a polygraph is conducted for sleep apnea diagnostics. During the second night, CPAP mask titration is performed to treat obstructive sleep apneas. The patient is fitted with a nasal mask which provides a continuous and positive pressure air supply and allows the patient breath freely during the treatment throughout the night.   

The lab testing and treatments are provided upon appointment, to schedule an appointment or for questions please refer to our sleep lab contact details:

Telephone: 02/ 403 44 52

GSM: 0895 280 038

E-mail: sleepneurology@hotmail.com

Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common breathing disorder which begins during sleep as well as the most common form of hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness).

This condition affects approximately 4% of middle aged men and 2% of middle aged women.

The condition is characterized as repeated and continuing for more than 10 second breathing interruptions (apnea) or breathing flow reductions (hypoapnea). Among the clinically significant forms of OSA over 20 to 30 apnea or hypoapnea episodes per hour are observed

The main symptoms of OCA are snoring, apnea breathing pauses (breathing stops during sleep and often partners in the sleeping in the same bed notice the pauses), pronounced daytime sleepiness, restless sleep, and a waking feeling of a lack of breath and/or a panic sensation of not being able to breathe.  

About half of patients with OCA have high blood pressure, and among approximately half of patients whom have had strokes also have sleep breathing disorders.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea has be found to increase the risk for ischemic cerebral stroke by 2 to 2.5 times. Breathing interruptions during sleep can cause oxygen de-saturation (lack of oxygen supply), which can lead to developing cardiovascular health issues later in life.

OSA is as common as asthma, but it largely goes undiagnosed.

The consequences of undiagnosed OSA are as follows:

1. Short Term

  • Automobile accidents- about 15-20% of accidents worldwide are attributed to sleeping at the wheel  
  • Pronounced day time sleepiness
  • Compromised quality of life  
  • Compromised concentrated and decreased ability to focus

2. Long Term:                                                                                                               

  • High arterial blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Ischemic cerebral stroke  
  • Compromised glucose tolerance

OCA diagnosis is performed in a sleep laboratory in which during sleep oxygen saturation, respiratory flows, heart rate, and thoracic-abdominal muscle activity is measured and recorded during sleep.

The main treatment for OSA is administering continuous positive pressure to the respiratory system (CPAP) with a device fitted with a nasal mask.

The presence of excessive day time sleepiness is a medical indication to implement CPAP therapy. During CPAP treatment, the patient breathes spontaneously while receiving a slightly elevated positive pressure air supply via a nasal mask. This therapy resolves apnea and breathing flow reductions (hypoapnea). The exact pressure administered for each patient is automatically regulated by our CPAP titration equipment located in our laboratory.

We offer comprehensive diagnostics and treatment for sleep apnea and OSA in our Sleep Medicine Laboratory of Tokuda Hospital Sofia’s Neurology Clinic.