Who sleeps well, feels better.

For the third year now, the Hořovice hospital has been operating a sleep laboratory that deals with the examination of patients with sleep-disordered breathing, which includes snoring and breathing stoppages (apnoeic pauses). Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) - sleep-disordered breathing - affects approximately 5-8% of the adult population, contributing significantly to the overall quality and quantity of sleep.

Examination takes the form of overnight monitoring during a so-called overnight hospital stay, which starts at 7 pm and ends at 7 am the following morning. The monitoring is carried out in a single room, where the patient is familiarized with the examination and the connection to the examination device by Bc. Jiří Pichlík - head nurse of the internal ward.

Comprehensive examination of patients before monitoring, evaluation of results and decision-making on further diagnostic and therapeutic procedure is provided by Daniela Olšavová, MD - sleep laboratory physician, in cooperation with other members of the "sleep" team.

"The laboratory is equipped with a small mobile device that senses several important parameters throughout the night, such as blood oxygen saturation, airflow through the airways, snoring, chest and abdominal movements, body position, etc. The evaluation of each parameter tells us what is happening to the breathing of a particular patient during sleep. The examination is safe and painless" explains MUDr. Olšavová.

"Sleep-disordered breathing most often occurs in patients aged 45-60 years, mostly in the male gender, but recently we have noticed a shift to younger age categories. Difficulties may arise due to upper airway obstruction, increased patient weight, irregular daily routine and lifestyle, internal or neurological diseases. The consequence is excessive daily fatigue, reduced mental and physical performance, and the development or worsening of internal diseases."

Hospitalization is covered by the insurance company, so the patient pays no fee. The capacity of all-night monitoring in the sleep laboratory of the Hořovice Hospital is currently 8 examinations per month, so it is necessary to make an appointment well in advance. Patients who have the above-mentioned sleep breathing problems can make an appointment for an examination by calling 311 552 206 or by e-mailing pichlik@nemocnice-horovice.cz.