If you have been struggling to sleep well, you might benefit from sleep apnea treatment. However, before you can get started, you need to be officially diagnosed via a sleep test. In some cases, patients must spend a night in a lab to get reliable data about the quality of their nighttime rest. But many people are eligible for a more convenient alternative! This blog post explains what at-home sleep testing is and how it works.
What Is At-Home Sleep Testing?
During a sleep test, advanced equipment monitors you while you sleep. The data it collects can then be analyzed to determine if you have sleep apnea. Laboratory sleep tests are quite sophisticated and, often, they provide more information than is really necessary to determine if sleep apnea is present. That is why at-home sleep testing, which is a simplified version of the laboratory test, is becoming more popular. Although home testing does not provide the same level of detail, it is a reliable way to diagnose sleep apnea in many cases.
The At-Home Sleep Testing Process
Getting a Prescription
You need a prescription for an at-home sleep test, so you should visit a care provider who offers this service. They will learn about your symptoms in order to determine if home testing is a good fit for your situation. If they suspect that you may have other sleep disorders outside of sleep apnea, you might need to undergo a lab test instead.
Taking the Test
If an at-home sleep test is right for you, you will get to borrow the necessary monitoring equipment. It should be easy to set up, and if you have any questions, you can get in touch with your care team. You might need to wear a monitor on your wrist, chest, and finger. Some tests also involve the use of a nasal cannula.
You will sleep while wearing the equipment, and it will collect information about your pulse, blood oxygen levels, and more.
Getting Your Results
The next business day after your test, you will return the monitoring equipment so a qualified expert can review your data. They will get in touch with you to discuss your results. If it turns out that you have sleep apnea, you can start exploring your treatment options.
At-home sleep testing is an easy alternative to laboratory testing! It can be the first step on your path toward better sleep and better health.
Meet the Practice
At Downtown Denver Sleep Solutions, our team works under the leadership of Drs. Gary Radz and Glenn Thompson. They have both personally suffered from sleep apnea, so they have great empathy for patients. They favor at-home sleep testing for its user-friendliness and convenience. If you believe you could benefit from this service or from sleep apnea treatment, our team is ready to consult with you. Contact our office at 303-377-5337.