Op. Dr. Ümit Filiz: “Sleep Testing Is Vital for Certain Risk Groups”

Op. Dr. Ümit Filiz stated that snoring is not always harmless and emphasized that sleep testing is of vital importance, especially for certain risk groups.

Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Op. Dr. Ümit Filiz from ENTO ENT Surgical Medical Center said, “We do not perform sleep tests on every patient who snores, but for some patients this test plays a critical role in diagnosis and treatment.”

Providing information about polysomnography, commonly known as a sleep test, Filiz said:

“During the test, numerous parameters are monitored throughout the night. We evaluate brain waves using EEG, muscle activity using EMG, and eye movements using EOG. Heart rhythm is monitored with ECG. We also assess chest and abdominal breathing movements, body position, and leg movements. In addition, we measure blood oxygen levels and changes in heart rhythm. Thanks to this data, we can clearly determine which stage of sleep the patient is in, the position in which they sleep, and whether they experience breathing problems during sleep. We can also determine whether the problem originates from the brain or from an obstruction in the upper airway. This test quantifies sleep and helps us direct patients toward the most appropriate treatment.”

Which Patients Should Undergo a Sleep Test?

Emphasizing that sleep tests are not necessary for every patient, Filiz explained:

“We definitely request a sleep test for patients with witnessed apnea, meaning individuals whose breathing is observed to stop during sleep. We also recommend the test for those who experience excessive daytime sleepiness, wake up feeling tired in the morning, or frequently fall asleep while watching television in the evening.”

Filiz also noted that anatomical features are important indicators:

“We recommend sleep testing for patients with thick necks, excess weight, a receding lower jaw, enlarged uvulas, or large tonsils, as these characteristics increase the likelihood of sleep apnea.”

Patients Using Multiple Blood Pressure Medications Should Be Careful

Drawing attention to the strong relationship between sleep apnea and hypertension, Filiz said:

“Approximately 86% of patients who use more than one blood pressure medication have sleep apnea. When sleep apnea is treated, the need for medication often decreases. We frequently see patients who used three medications before treatment reduce their treatment to a single medication.”

Filiz added that a similar pattern is observed in patients who suffer strokes during sleep:

“About 86% of these patients also have sleep apnea. In fact, sleep apnea is often the underlying cause. When breathing stops during sleep, blood pressure rises and heart rate increases. This creates stress on the blood vessels and may contribute to the formation of blood clots.”

He also noted that elevated nighttime blood pressure detected through Holter monitoring is an important warning sign:

“Normally, our heart rate decreases during sleep. If blood pressure rises during the night, it indicates that the body is under stress. In many cases, sleep apnea is the cause.”

Filiz stated that treatment is planned according to sleep test results:

“In severe cases, we refer patients to CPAP therapy, which involves the use of a mask. In milder cases, we focus on weight management and address problems related to the palate, tongue base, or jaw structure.”

https://www.bsha.com.tr/op-dr-umit-filiz-bazi-risk-gruplarinda-uyku-testi-hayati-onem-tasiyor/