How Do I Get an At-home Sleep Apnea Test?
The primary way to determine if you have sleep apnea is through a sleep study by a doctor or medical professional. But what if you want to test yourself at home? That’s where the home sleep study near you test comes in, which can help you know the severity and treatment plan.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea causes pauses in breathing during sleep. It’s caused by the soft tissue in your throat collapsing and blocking your airway, making you wake up repeatedly during the night.
Poor sleep quality can lead to daytime fatigue, depression, anxiety, and irritability. It also makes it difficult to focus and concentrate at work or school. Research shows that treating sleep apnea can help improve the quality of your life and reduce the risk of other health conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
Is An At-Home Sleep Test Right For Me?
An at-home test may be right for you if you have moderate or mild OSA. There are many benefits to receiving treatment without having to spend time away from home:
- You can get the results quickly and take action immediately after receiving them.
- Your doctor can prescribe effective treatment options to address any issues with snoring and daytime fatigue identified during the test.
What Does An At-Home Sleep Test Involve?
The at-home sleep test involves using a device you wear while you sleep. The device is usually a small device worn on your finger and used to measure your breathing during the night. The device comes with instructions on how to get accurate readings.
Is A Sleep Study Worth It?
Yes, a sleep apnea test at home is worth it. A sleep study can determine the cause of your snoring and daytime fatigue. It can also provide insight into other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. A doctor will use the information from a sleep study to recommend an effective treatment option for you.
What Are Signs That Sleep Study Is Ideal for You?
- Snoring
If you snore loudly enough, this could be a sign of sleep apnea. Your doctor may also be able to hear you snoring through a stethoscope during an office visit.
- Unrestful sleep
OSA causes you to wake up occasionally at night, which can contribute to poor sleep. If this happens at least three times per week, it could be worth seeing your doctor about these issues.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
Do you often fall asleep while watching TV or driving? This happens when you have difficulty staying awake during the day because you are not getting enough quality, uninterrupted sleep at night.
How Do They Test You For Sleep Apnea?
The first step to scheduling an at-home sleep apnea test is going to your doctor. If you’re still unsure whether it is sleep apnea, ask for a referral to a sleep specialist.
Once you’re in the office of a board-certified sleep medicine physician, discuss your symptoms with them. Your doctor will likely give you some tests and may even want to send you through an overnight stay. If they choose this option, consider bringing along someone who can stay with you overnight—your spouse or significant other will be able to provide comfort if things get rough during the test period.
If this seems too much work—or an overnight stay isn’t possible —another option would be an at-home sleep test. These tests usually involve wearing a device throughout the night so doctors can monitor the quality of one’s breathing patterns and muscle movements before making recommendations about treatment options based on what was revealed through those tests.
We use the SleepImage, a cloud-based Sleep Evaluation, Diagnostic, and Management System with automated output for kids and adults that is FDA-cleared to be comparable to Polysomnography (PSG) to Aid in the Clinical Diagnosis of sleep apnea.
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Visit Taylor Made Sleep for more information about at-home sleep apnea test and what it involves.