It is estimated that as many as 18 million people in the United States have sleep apnea. If you snore loudly or feel tired during the day, you may suspect that you have this disorder; however, these symptoms can have different causes, so a diagnosis can only be made after a sleep test in Denver has been performed. If a doctor tells you that you need to undergo such a test, there are a few steps you can take to make sure that you’re as prepared as possible.
What Can You Expect from Your Sleep Test?
Many practices offer at-home sleep tests that can be completed in the comfort of your own bed. You’re a doctor will provide you with a specialized device equipped with a number of sensors that can carefully monitor your breathing patterns and other biometrics throughout the night. Once the data has been gathered, a sleep expert can determine whether your symptoms are truly indicative of sleep apnea or another disorder.
How Can You Prepare for a Sleep Test During the Day?
Obviously, a sleep study will only be successful if you can fall asleep and stay asleep for a sufficient period of time. In order to make this easier, it is recommended that you wake up a little earlier than usual on the day of the study so that you’re as tired as possible in the evening. You should also avoid coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and anything else that contains caffeine. If you’re in the habit of consuming alcohol shortly before bed, ask your doctor whether you should do so on the night of your sleep study.
How Can You Prepare for a Sleep Test Right Before Bed?
About an hour or two before you go to bed, get your mind and body ready for sleep by relaxing as much as possible. Stay away from the news, social media, or anything else that might cause anxiety. Instead, take the time to read a book or listen to some soothing music. Try to minimize your exposure to electronic screens, as the blue light they emit can make it harder to fall asleep. You should already be feeling sleepy or drowsy by the time you’re ready to start setting up the test. Make sure that you don’t go to bed any earlier than you normally would. Ideally, you should actually stay up a little later to ensure that it’s as easy as possible for your body to fall asleep when the time comes.
Taking the initiative to prepare for your study in Denver will help ensure clean, reliable results. If you’re unsure about what you should be doing the day of the study, reach out to your doctor; they can give you some additional tips and address any concerns you might have.
About the Author
Dr. Gary Radz discovered oral sleep appliances when he was diagnosed with sleep apnea and found that he was unable to tolerate CPAP therapy. He made his first sleep appliance for himself; the results were so impressive that he decided to dedicate himself to learning more about dental sleep medicine to help his patients. He has been helping people with sleep apnea ever since. If you suspect that you have sleep apnea and want to set up a sleep study, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Radz at Downtown Denver Sleep Solutions by visiting his website or calling (303) 377-5337.