Sleep Apnea Test Options: At Home or in Lab?
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If your sleep report shows that you do have sleep apnea, the physician will provide a prescription for a CPAP machine or recommend other therapy as needed. The data from the device is downloaded within minutes and then uploaded to the cloud so that it can be reviewed by a doctor. You will receive a test report and have the opportunity to discuss the results with a sleep coach. For people who are being treated for OSA, testing can provide data about whether breathing during sleep has improved. At-home testing can also be used to monitor how a patient’s sleep apnea changes over time.
And, you’ll have a video chat with an independent, board-certified physician who decides whether you meet the criteria for at-home testing. One belt around your chest and one belt around your abdomen to measure breathing. CPAP.com is a family owned and operated business dedicated to providing Sleep Apnea equipment to those who need sleep therapy. Our expert sleep staff is here to provide personalized, unscripted support for you. ApneaMed patient care representative will contact you to discuss your results, and, if applicable, a treatment plan. Getting a good night's rest is one of the best things we can do to ensure we maintain a good quality of life.
Can You Die From Sleep Apnea?
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that home sleep tests include measurements of airflow, blood oxygen levels, and breathing effort, at the very least. While not always effective, at-home sleep apnea tests are a convenient alternative to traditional polysomnography sleep studies that require you to spend the night in a lab away from your bed. At-home tests have evolved over the years, and the wearable Lofta WatchPAT is one of the most advanced options sold today. The device consists of a band that fits around your wrist like a watch, a sensor that gently clamps your fingertip, and a thin cord connecting the other two components.
A 2012 study identified smoking as a risk factor for developing sleep apnea. The study noted that people with sleep apnea may have a predisposition to smoking as well, so treating sleep apnea may help in quitting smoking. However, if you regain the weight, it’s possible for the condition to return. Common treatments include breathing devices, medication, and surgery.
Nasal masks
The data are interpreted by a sleep medicine specialist and, in the right clinical setting, can provide an accurate diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. Although both tests usually measure factors like airflow, blood oxygen levels, and heart rate, only in-lab sleep studies actually measure sleep by monitoring brain activity. The National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project reports that at least 25 million adults in the U.S. are affected by obstructive sleep apnea , the most common form of sleep apnea. As the disorder can lead to serious health complications when left untreated, early diagnosis is crucial.
You might need to try different devices before finding one that works for you. You might need to try more than one type of mask to find one that's comfortable. Check with your doctor to see what changes can be made to increase your comfort.
Benefits and Downsides of At-Home Sleep Apnea Tests
Home sleep apnea tests are generally type 3 or 4 tests, which collect less data. The number of devices used in your home sleep apnea test depends on if your medical provider orders a type 3 or type 4 study. When undergoing a home sleep apnea test, you generally have to pick up special equipment from your doctor’s office or a sleep clinic. Then, you carefully follow the instructions provided regarding how to use the various test devices given to you. You sleep as you usually would, except with specific devices connected to your body to collect data, for at least one night. During this test, you're hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.
If you receive a diagnosis of sleep apnea, you may need to return to the lab at a later date to set up a device to help you breathe. Your doctor may ask you to complete one or more questionnaires to evaluate symptoms like daytime sleepiness as well as risk factors for the condition, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and age. Symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, waking up in the middle of the night, and fatigue after a full night’s sleep. You can do an at-home sleep apnea test from the comforts of your own bed to find out if you may be at risk. This is a great way to avoid spending the night at a sleep center. Before you can do this though, you’ll need to get an exam and talk to your doctor about your sleep habits and to find out more about your risk for sleep apnea.
These relax the muscles in the back of your throat, interfering with breathing. Surgery is usually only an option after other treatments have failed. Generally, at least a three-month trial of other treatment options is suggested before considering surgery.
At-home sleep apnea tests are designed to make testing more accessible and help ensure people get the treatment they need. Home sleep apnea tests only monitor your breathing and oxygen levels. Overnight sleep studies monitor significantly more vitals related to sleep, including your brain waves and leg and eye movements. Sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, often require an in-lab sleep study. But some people are good candidates for at-home sleep apnea tests.
Return your equipment at the time and to the location predetermined by your medical providers, unless you have a disposable test such as the WatchPAT One. Once the sleep lab or clinic receives the equipment, they will download and analyze the collected data. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends this be done manually by a trained specialist instead of relying on algorithms. Follow the instructions provided as you put on any sensors, such as a pulse oximeter on your finger, nasal cannula in your nostrils, and a band around your chest.
This more recently approved airflow device learns your normal breathing pattern and stores the information in a built-in computer. After you fall asleep, the machine uses pressure to normalize your breathing pattern and prevent pauses in your breathing. For milder cases of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend only lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. If you have nasal allergies, your doctor will recommend treatment for your allergies.
Several devices on the market may be used for at-home sleep studies. For adults over the age of 18, the Lofta WatchPAT is an FDA-approved home sleep test and one of the more advanced options on the market. If you or your partner suspects that you have sleep apnea, contact your primary care doctor. In some cases, you might be referred immediately to a sleep specialist. Using supplemental oxygen while you sleep might help if you have central sleep apnea. Various forms of oxygen are available with devices to deliver oxygen to your lungs.
If the results are abnormal, your doctor might be able to prescribe a therapy without further testing. Portable monitoring devices don't detect all cases of sleep apnea, however, so your doctor might still recommend polysomnography even if your initial results are normal. “For the most accurate home sleep apnea reading, it’s best to have sleep time on your back and side,” Patil says. Sleep apnea is typically worse when sleepers are on their backs, and side sleeping can ease apnea.
You will receive a kit containing all the necessary equipment to test your heart rate, breathing and oxygen levels. It’s important to know that in-lab sleep studies may provide more detailed information. For instance, they may give your doctor a better overall measurement of your sleep patterns and quality.
Lifestyle changes can improve your health and encourage better sleeping habits. Consider quitting smoking and limiting your alcohol intake to reduce sleep apnea complications. Studies have shown sleeping on your back — called the supine position — can worsen symptoms. For some adults, sleeping on the side can help breathing return to normal. Regular exercise can increase your energy level, strengthen your heart, and improve sleep apnea.
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