HomeAnswersPulmonology (Asthma Doctors)breathing problemsWould you please interpret the sleep apnea test results?

Why do I have difficulty breathing on the left side of my nose and difficulty sleeping at night?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At December 22, 2021
Reviewed AtJanuary 19, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have difficulty breathing on the left side of my nose, and I also have difficulty breathing with a mask. I am unable to have a long night's sleep. I have high cholesterol levels, which doctors say is not related to food, but stress. I have done a sleep apnea test wearing a breather and a wrap around the chest at night, recording the oxygen levels. I am looking for a specialist for sleep apnea to interpret the results of the sleep apnea test that I have already done. Kindly help.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you have been suffering from difficulty breathing in the left side of the nose, difficulty breathing with the mask, and inability to have a long night's sleep. You have recently done a sleep apnea test. The attached test reports (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) also indicate the presence of obstructive sleep apnea during your night sleep. A sleep apnea test can detect the duration of obstructive sleep apnea in the different stages of sleep. It can show the average duration of obstructive sleep apnea and the longest period of sleep apnea. Again it can show the duration of obstructive sleep apnea in different lying positions during sleeping. Sleep apnea tests also can show the oxygen saturation levels during the different stages of sleep. Your maximum oxygen saturation level is 99 %, the average is 97 %, and the lowest is 92 %. It is difficult to interpret the sleep apnea test to others. Your sleep apnea test indicates that you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea during your night sleeping time. Can you provide me with the report of your CT (computed tomography) scan so that I can give you more information? Your serum creatinine level is within the normal range. I hope I answered your query. Take care.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply. I have been advised to do a septum deviation surgery to enlarge the air passage at the back of the throat. I wanted to have a second opinion on whether this will cure sleep apnea. Kindly help.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. A deviated nasal septum may cause sleep apnea. So, deviated nasal septum or deviated nasal septum (DNS) may develop respiratory disturbance due to incomplete blockage of breathing. According to some studies, the surgery for DNS may improve the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea by improving breathing by straightening a deviated nasal septum and enhancing the effectiveness of other additional treatments for sleep apnea. As your sleep apnea test has shown obstructive sleep apnea and computed tomography (CT) scan has shown deviated nasal septum, your ENT (ear-nose-throat) specialist has advised you to undergo surgical intervention for DNS. You can follow your doctor's advice and go for surgery, as the surgery may improve sleep apnea symptoms. I hope this has helped you out. Take care.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam
Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

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