How is sleep apnea diagnosed? The first step in the diagnosis of sleep apnea is to obtain a thorough history and physical examination with concentration on sleep related symptoms, which can be performed by your primary care physician or a board-certified sleep medicine specialist. Once the suspicion of sleep apnea is made, a sleep study is the next step. There are two types of sleep studies. There is a screening version, known as a home sleep study, which monitors a few parameters pertaining to sleep. And there is the more comprehensive sleep study, known as a polysomnography examination, which is performed in a sleep center. There are advantages and disadvantages to both a home sleep study and an in-sleep-center polysomnographic evaluation. I'm Dr. Ronald Popper, medical director of the Southern California Pulmonary and Sleep Disorders Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, California. To view more videos that help to address all of your questions about sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, please visit our website at SleepMD4You.com. Thank you for watching and always remember, sleep well tonight for a better day tomorrow.