How do you diagnose Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome?

This question was asked in Tampa, Florida on 02/21/2013.
I am writing to find out what mechanism you use to diagnose Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome. Specifically, what type of equipment do you use for measuring esophageal pressure? Thank you.

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Doctors Answers (2)

Daron Scherr, MD, DABSM
Answered on: 4/5/2013 1

With the ability of measuring arousals on EEG, airflow with pressure transducers and thermistors, respiratory effort with plethysmography, continuous oxygen saturations, and EKG; it is my expert opinion that the measurement of esophageal pressure is not necessary.

Jeannine Louise Gingras, MD
Answered on: 2/22/2013

With an overnight baseline sleep study. There are very few if no clinical labs (vs research labs) that use esophageal pressure as it is very invasive. Some labs with use carbon dioxide monitoring but that is most useful if considering hypoventilation. For UARS, a pressure transducer, airflow and the typical parameters suffice.