OSAKA -- An Osaka clinic has started to offer diagnostic services for sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep, causing sleeplessness, according to clinic officials.
The Osaka Medical Center for Health Science and Promotions set up a diagnostic and treatment system to help patients sleep.
Sleep apnea is often seen among overweight men and most often occurs when the tongue or swollen tonsils block the airway. People whose breathing is interrupted more than 20 times per hour are diagnosed with the disorder, the center said.
X-rays are taken of a patient's head to check the shape of the jaw and tonsils and sensors measure blood oxygen concentration during sleep at home.
Patients with abnormal facial bone structure or respiration will be asked to sleep at the center to check their brain waves and ventricular waves and undergo an electromyogram of their jaw.
The center will refer patients to sleep apnea experts if necessary.