Sleep apnoea is usually diagnosed via a simple sleep study, available from your local Capital Chemist, and completed in the comfort of your own home. A pain-free, fuss-free, and in some cases wire-free machine attaches to your forehead to monitor your blood oxygen levels, brain activity, heart rate and breathing. No referral is necessary, and a specialist doctor will review the results to confirm the diagnosis. If diagnosed with sleep apnoea, your local Capital Chemist Pharmacist can then provide you with treatment solutions that offer prompt and usually complete relief from symptoms.

Before your sleep study - sleep apnoea symptom screening.

 The first step towards diagnosis is to check if you have the symptoms of sleep apnoea.

 The most obvious symptoms of sleep apnoea include:

·        Daytime sleepiness or fatigue.

·        Snoring or gasping overnight.

·        Waking up daily with a dry or sore throat.

If you have noticed these symptoms or had a partner advise you of them, you can complete a more detailed screening for sleep apnoea online or in-store with your local Capital Chemist Pharmacist. We will ask you a few questions about your sleep, waking, and daytime fatigue. An in-store sleep apnoea screening chat is completely free and could start the process of getting your energy and zest for life back.

Your sleep apnoea sleep study - what to expect.

Modern sleep study tests have come a long way from those we used even a few years ago. Testing is now much more comfortable and convenient than the ones you may have heard about, with wires going everywhere and a band around the waist!

After collecting your overnight sleep testing machine from your participating Capital Chemist Pharmacy, simply go home and enjoy your evening. When you are ready for bed, follow the instructions provided with the sleep test machine:

·        Download the app.

·        Clean your forehead.

·        Connect the sleep test machine to your disposable electrode.

·        Affix the electrode to your forehead.

·        Ensure the app is activated, in range, and connected to power.

·        Sleep as usual.

In the morning, check the app and ensure the data has uploaded correctly, gently peel off the electrode and return the machine to your pharmacy.

No referral is necessary to complete a sleep study through Capital Chemist. However, a small fee is involved to cover the machine purchase and maintenance and the costs associated with the consultant doctor review. Ask your local store for more details.

What happens next?

You will receive a notification when your results are available in-store. Most people with sleep apnoea can work with our pharmacists to establish a treatment plan.

Treatment for sleep apnoea commonly involves using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The CPAP machine keeps your airways open, helping you breathe normally without repeated waking to resume breathing. CPAP machines are available to purchase from your local Capital Chemist Pharmacy.

In some more complex cases we may advise you to see your GP for a referral to a specialist for further treatment.

If your sleep study results do not show evidence of sleep apnoea, your pharmacist can work with you to manage or alleviate the symptoms that led you to undergo the sleep test in the first place.

To start the process of testing and diagnosing for sleep apnoea, ask your local Capital Chemist Pharmacist in-store today.