Many who suspect they have sleep apnea don’t seek treatment due to common misconceptions about what a diagnoses entails. With either choice, it is a simple test. It records your pulse, breathing, movement and oxygen levels. The two different tests a person can choose from are either an at home test or an in-center test. Your sleep care team will gather the results as a sleep expert analyzes and determines whether or not you have sleep apnea. They will also be able to decide if you have mild, moderate or severe. Before a decision is made on which test is best for you, here’s everything you need to know.
Home Study
This test is a comfortable option, as it takes place in your own home. You are given specific instructions on how to utilize the sleep tools. The machine will record your sleeping patterns while you sleep in your own bed with your normal routine. Many like this option because they feel like it takes less time and they feel more comfortable handling it on their own without anyone watching live.
What is Needed
Although an at home test might sound like a simpler choice, it is not for everybody and it is not always simple. It’s important that your doctor suspects you have mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea. It’s also important that you be in good or average health. If you suspect you may have OSA and would like to consider a test, it must still be prescribed by a doctor.
What is Not Allowable
If you are not sufficient health, you may not be a good candidate for an at home sleep test. Dr. Mostafavi, leader in sleep apnea research states,
“In order to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea, you need to maintain a good clinical history. Sleep tests can be done in the home, which is unattended, or in a sleep center, which is attended. If you’re doing a home study, you shouldn’t have any conditions including heart disease, COPD, obesity, OHS, neuromuscular disease, or degenerative neurological conditions. If you have an elderly patient who is unable to do a home study or has any issues with setting up the equipment, an in-center sleep test will be best for them.”
If the ability to set up equipment independently is a struggle or you have any of these conditions, you may want to consider a sleep center. This is because these conditions may cause a distortion in the results.
Heart Disease Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with heart disease. [1] The connection between the two can cause a discrepancy in the data of an at home test because of its impact on the respiratory system. It’s important to be able to control this, which is impossible at an at home test.
COPD This stands for chronic pulmonary disease. It could be in the form of chronic bronchitis or emphysema. COPD and sleep apnea are not connected, but they can both impact sleep. An at home test monitors breathing, not actual sleep.
Obesity OSA is more likely to occur in obese persons. While it is great news that losing weight may decrease sleep apnea symptoms [2], for the purposes of the study, there is more that will need to be monitored beyond breathing.
OHS This stands for obesity hypoventilation syndrome. It is a breathing disorder that impacts those with obesity. This means that a person has an excess of carbon dioxide in their blood and not the sufficient amount of oxygen needed for the body to function properly. CPAP therapy may help with this, but it’s important to meet with a physician for discussion.
Neuromuscular Disease This impacts your entire neuromuscular system. Coincidentally, OSA is impacted by the muscles in the throat.
Degenerative Neurological Conditions There are many different kinds of degenerative neurological conditions. It can be Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s Disease. It is best to have a care team aligned to assist you in making sure the sleep study is done correctly in the lab.
Who is Most Suitable
You are a good candidate for an at home test if you are in reasonable health. They are typically lower in cost due to the fact that they are screening for much less [3]. If you are extremely uncomfortable sleeping outside of your own home, the home test may be right for you. Think clearly about the problem you are trying to solve and what you are willing to do in order to find a solution towards optimal health.
Best Practices
At Home: Before your study, you will need to pick up all of the necessary equipment or it may be delivered to your home. When you receive the equipment, the sleep team will clearly explain how the machine operates and give directions for its use. They will be available for any troubleshooting questions, but it should be fairly straightforward. You will have gone over all of your medications that may impact the test with the doctor. In order to make the most of this test, be sure to:
- Shy away from any naps
- Cut out caffeine by noon
- Follow your normal routine
In-Center Sleep Test
Why it’s “Best”
An in-center test is going to give the most robust information. An at home test monitors breathing patterns, but cannot analyze anything more.
“In-center sleep apnea tests can help you see seizures or PLMS. You can’t see this with a home study. In-center sleep tests are still a gold standard, but a home study can be done to rule out sleep apnea as a screening tool. In-center sleep tests are beneficial as you can get a fixed pressure CPAP, if prescribed to you after the test. This is only attainable with an in-center sleep test. You can only get an automatic CPAP with a home sleep study, not a fixed pressure CPAP,” Dr. Mostafavi.
Best Practices
To make the most out of a sleep study, it’s important to make everything as similar to a typical night time routine. This means you should take normal pajamas, medications, toiletries and should have already eaten a typical dinner meal. The goal is for you to be asleep for 7 hours, but don’t stress about that number, as even a few hours of monitoring can provide a lot of information. Do not be afraid to ask questions to the sleep technologist.
Depending on what test you are in for, you will be able to go home shortly after your first night. A diagnosis will be made by the attending physician and sent onto your doctor to discuss the results. It’s really that easy!
Common Questions
Will I have the results from the at home test sooner than the ones from the test center?
Because there is less to analyze, you may get your results sooner. However, this is dependent on a few factors, like if you are mailing the machine back and the workload of each sleep clinic. After analyzing results and diagnosing, the results will be sent to your doctor in 7-10 days.
What happens if I have sleep apnea?
When your doctor gets the results of the study back, they will tell you the proper course of action based on the findings. Likely, if you do have sleep apnea, CPAP therapy will be recommended, as this has been proven to be the most helpful and least invasive form of treatment. There are also other options such as a mouthpiece and as a last resort, surgery.
Should I take my medicine before the sleep study?
Your routine, whether at home or in the sleep center, should be the same. If there is a medication you should not take, your doctor will discuss this with you prior to the study.
Can I go to the bathroom at night?
You can go to the bathroom whenever you need to. At home, you will simply remove the sensors and place them back on once you get to bed. At the sleep center, you will call for a technician to remove all wiring and then you are free to go as you please. They will reconnect you upon your return to bed.
An in-center sleep test can help you diagnose more than sleep apnea! Contact us today to schedule your appointment – we’re here to help you.
- Jean-Louis G, Zizi F, Clark LT, Brown CD, McFarlane SI. Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease: Role of the metabolic syndrome and its components. J Clin Sleep Med. 2008;4(3):261–72.
- Warner, Jennifer. “Weight Loss Helps Sleep Apnea.” WebMD, WebMD, 28 Sept. 2009, www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/news/20090928/weight-loss-helps-sleep-apnea.
- Kim RD, Kapur VK, Redline-Bruch J, Rueschman M, Auckley DH, Benca RM, Foldvary-Schafer NR, Iber C, Zee PC, Rosen CL, Redline S, Ramsey SD. An economic evaluation of home versus laboratory-based diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. SLEEP 2015;38(7):1027–1037.
Comments
Leonard Malak
Posted on April 14, 2021My sleep study results showed:There is no component information for this result. What does that exactly mean? Not explained to me.
Mischa Brooks
Posted on July 01, 2021Good job. You have made my doubts clear. Thanks!
High Rated Gabru
Posted on September 14, 2021Oh wow. That’s really cool post. thanks a lot.
تمريض منزلي
Posted on November 07, 2021i like this article, it has a lot of info i need to know, thanks for sharing
Website
Posted on February 01, 2022Thanks for sharing this information.
trap the cat
Posted on April 12, 2022This test is a comfortable option.
wordle unlimited
Posted on June 15, 2022This article is perfect. It contains helpful information for readers who care about sleeping tests. I am looking for more articles like this from you. Thank you for your posting.
Concreters Wagga
Posted on June 18, 2022Great information website. Thank you for sharing…
Fnf
Posted on July 14, 2022when i sleep well i perform better when playing games online..
Basement renovations
Posted on August 01, 2022This was very helpful. Thank you for sharing this article.
Rochester Full blown bathrooms remodel
Posted on August 26, 2022Such an informative article! Thank you for sharing this
retro bowl
Posted on October 07, 2022I find a lot of interesting information whenever I visit your website, which I do frequently. Not only are there some wonderful articles, but also some wonderful comments. I am grateful to you, and I hope that you will spread the word about my page.
Air Fryer
Posted on November 24, 2022Great post
rolling ball d
Posted on December 05, 2022this is so interesting, i’m broadening my knowledge thanks to you
rolling ball d
Posted on December 05, 2022I’m expanding my knowledge because this is so fascinating, thanks to you.
click
Posted on March 30, 2023So far u have a good content! Thanks
stumble guys 2
Posted on April 09, 2023Running is a popular way to stay healthy and in shape. In fact, it has become one of the most popular activities in the world. But did you know that you can also use running to promote good health? In addition to weight loss and improved heart health, there are many other benefits of running.
doodle baseball
Posted on June 21, 2023Sleep testing is essential for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. At-home exams are more convenient and less expensive, but they may not be as comprehensive as in-center examinations. In-center examinations provide more detailed information, but they are more expensive and require more time and effort. A consultation with a healthcare practitioner is recommended to establish the best type of test for your needs.
Yonkers
Posted on June 28, 2023They will also be able to decide if you have mild, moderate or severe.
connections game
Posted on July 29, 2023Thanks to you, I’m broadening my knowledge since this is so intriguing.
continue reading
Posted on August 13, 2023Really, that was unexpected. An incredible piece of writing. Share more of these enlightening articles. Much appreciated knowledge provided here.
contexto
Posted on August 27, 2023I understood the importance of doing a sleep test after reading the article.
game halloween
Posted on September 12, 2023Thanks to you, it’s agood article, pleaase keep it up
2048
Posted on October 10, 2023A sleep test is crucial for diagnosing sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder that can have serious health consequences if left untreated. Sleep apnea can lead to various health problems, including cardiovascular issues, daytime fatigue, and decreased quality of life.
Mary Bailey
Posted on October 12, 2023After reading this comprehensive overview, I feel much more informed about the pros and cons of at-home vs in-center sleep tests. For my situation, an in-center test seems best since I have some pre-existing health conditions that could impact my breathing. I’m glad I can discuss my options with my doctor to decide what’s right for me. Getting tested is an important step towards treating sleep apnea.
buildnow gg
Posted on December 14, 2023I feel much better knowledgeable about the benefits and drawbacks of at-home vs. in-center sleep tests after reading this thorough summary. An in-center test seems to be the best option for me because I have some underlying medical issues that could affect how well I breathe. I’m happy that I can talk to my doctor about my options and choose what’s best for me. A crucial first step in treating sleep apnea is getting tested.
Watermelon Game
Posted on March 08, 2024Sleep tests help identify various sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. These disorders can significantly impact your overall health and quality of life if left untreated.