Hospital da Luz Setúbal performs all exams necessary for the diagnosis and follow-up of respiratory and sleep diseases – such as sleep apnea, asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung emphysema, pulmonary insufficiency, pneumonia, pleurisy, or tuberculosis. These exams are carried out upon prescription by a specialist in Pulmonology. Among the exams available at Hospital da Luz Setúbal, there are the respiratory function tests – such as, spirometry, respiratory mechanics / plethysmography, gasometry, and six-minute walk test, among others – and sleep studies , namely, nocturnal sleep cardio-respiratory recording, and nocturnal sleep polygraphic recording (either in ambulatory setting or in hospitalization). The Respiratory function tests are non-invasive tests that enable to evaluate, in an objective and detailed way, if respiration is done adequately. They are useful to diagnose and monitor respiratory diseases, as well as planning treatments and deciding the continuation or alteration of treatments. They consist in breathing and blowing into a device, following the instructions of the health professional that conducts the exam. In certain tests, these manoeuvres may have to be done inside a glass compartment, or the patient may be requested to inhale specific substances, in order to evaluate the bronchial motricity of the airways. The nocturnal sleep cardio-respiratory recording is done in ambulatory setting (out of the hospital) and consists in the recording of cardiac and respiratory parameters during sleep, using specific equipment. It may me indicated to evaluate roncopathy and respiratory arrests during sleep (apnea), and excessive sleepiness. The nocturnal sleep polygraphic recording done in ambulatory setting (at home) or polysomnography with ECG (electrocardiogram) aims to evaluate the physiological parameters of sleep. It uses a specific equipment that, besides monitoring cardiac and respiratory parameters, monitors electroencephalographic (ECG) and electromyographic (EMG) signals. It may be indicated to evaluate roncopathy, respiratory arrests during sleep (apnea), excessive sleepiness, night awakenings, insomnia and bruxism. The sleep polygraphic recording in hospitalization , besides recording all physiological signals referred in the previous exams, allows audio and video recording, thence the need to stay in hospital during the night to undertake it. It may be indicated to evaluate roncopathy, respiratory arrests during sleep (apnea), excessive sleepiness, night awakenings, insomnia and bruxism, sleep respiratory disorders in children, and the evaluation of sleep ventilation therapy, and parasomnia, among others. Schedule your appointment through our usual channels: MY LUZ , by phone 265 509 200 or at: hospitaldaluz.pt/setubal .
