What You Need to Know About an At-Home Sleep Apnea Test

Sleep apnea is an epidemic! Every night, millions of people miss out on countless hours of sleep because of the condition—and even worse, many more cases go completely undiagnosed! But before you can receive a diagnosis and receive sleep apnea therapy, you might have to undergo an at-home sleep apnea test. Here’s what you can expect throughout this process and some things you can do to prepare yourself for it.

What Is an At-Home Sleep Test?

A sleep apnea test is the primary means for determining if sleep apnea is the cause of a patient’s sleep disruption. This test can be done at a specialist’s office, as well as at a patient’s home using a special at-home sleep apnea test. The at-home test needs to be prescribed by your primary care physician or a sleep clinic; it’s not something that you can go pick up at the store. You’ll be given a monitoring device with multiple sensors attached, including a small probe that’s worn over your fingers (to measure oxygen levels) and a breathing mask to be securely placed on your nose. There are also other sensors placed on your chest and abdomen to measure their movement as you rest.

It might seem a little complicated and frightening, but an at-home sleep test is actually a relatively small and straightforward commitment—and it’s usually for just one night! You’ll be given instructions on how to attach the sensors to your body and how to operate the monitoring device and breathing mask. As you sleep, the device will keep track of your oxygen levels and breathing pattern. By the time you wake up, the device will have gathered enough data to determine if sleep apnea is influencing your sleep!

How Can I Prepare for an At-Home Sleep Test?

There aren’t any special preparations or accommodations that you need to make in advance of an at-home sleep test; in fact, following your regular routine is the best thing you can do! You’ll just have to set up the device once you’re ready for bed, but you’ll be given instructions on how to do so.

But if you’re still concerned about not being able to fall asleep on the evening of the test, you should avoid taking any daytime naps, drinking caffeine or other stimulants, or doing anything else that might disrupt your normal sleeping patterns. You should also try to sleep in the same position that you would on a normal night; sleep apnea symptoms tend to be worse for those who sleep on their backs!

If you think your sleep disruption is being caused by sleep apnea, an at-home test is one of the best ways to get to the bottom of it. Completing your at-home sleep apnea test will bring you one step closer to receiving sleep apnea treatment and getting back to bed!

About the Practice

The team at Advanced Dental Solutions of Pittsburgh is honored to serve patients and families in the area under the leadership of three skilled specialists: Dr. Dan Rairigh, Dr. Joshua Culver, and Dr. Jacqueline Sumzin. Their practice is proud to offer a wide range of available services including sleep apnea therapy. If you have any questions about sleep apnea or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact the practice online or over the phone: (412) 854-2310.