Are you a Candidate for a Home Sleep Study?

Snoring is a common condition affecting a large portion of the population. Unfortunately, many do not seek treatment for their snoring putting a strain on their quality of sleep and relationships.

Snoring

Commonly seen as simply an average slightly annoying condition with no remedy, snoring can signify some serious health conditions. If your loved one is complaining about your snoring, it is important to seek advice from a specialist.

Depending on your condition there is a variety of snore relieving remedies. In severe cases, surgery may be required but in most the use of a snoring aid brings instant relief.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) often goes undiagnosed in about 80% of those who suffer from this condition.

At-home Sleep Study

If a doctor believes you may be suffering from a sleeping disorder like OSA, they need to test your body’s levels and functions while it sleeps to obtain a proper diagnosis. In some cases, the patient may need to spend the evening in a medical facility, but with today’s technology doctors are can give sleep study tests at the patient’s home.

A patient is given a machine to wear while they sleep to record the body’s function. Most of these tests only require one evening with the machine but in some cases, multiple nights may be required.

An at-home sleep test can detect conditions like low oxygen levels, snoring, sleep apnea, and loss of blood pressure during sleep.

What is involved?

During an at-home sleep study it is important to maintain all normal activity, so your sleep specialists can gather accurate data. The sleep specialist will explain where to attach the sensors, how to turn the machine on, and any additional information you may need to know.

Are you a candidate for an at-home sleep study?

At-home sleep studies are most beneficial in cases where sleep apnea is suspected. Candidates who suffer from lung disease, congestive heart failure, and other sleep disorders may require more in-depth testing.

To determine if you would benefit from seeing a sleep specialist for an at-home sleep study ask yourself the following questions.

• Do you identify with the male gender?
• Is your age 50 and over?
• Are you often fatigued throughout the day for no obvious reason?
• Has a loved one witnessed that you stopped breathing while sleeping?
• Is your snore excessively loud and disruptive to your household?
• Are you diagnosed with high blood pressure?
• Do you suffer from a high body mass index?
• Does your neck circumference measure larger than 15.75 inches?

If you answer yes to three or more of these questions, contact your doctor and have them refer you to a sleep specialist. The sleep specialist will ask additional questions and run tests to see if you are a good candidate for an at-home sleep study test.

Patients that sleep specialists recommend for at-home sleep tests include those suffering from symptoms related to OSA, diabetes, hypertension, depression, insomnia, and Fibromyalgia.

The benefits of at-home sleep studies

At-home sleep studies are less costly for those with high deductible insurance plans than a study done in the lab. Often patients find it difficult to maintain their normal sleep routine within the confines of a lab. With an at-home sleep study, your sleep specialist can monitor your body while you relax in the comfort of your own home.

Labs commonly have long wait times of up to six weeks. With the ease of an at-home sleep study, your specialist can provide you with quicker results and get you on the road to better sleep without added stress.

After completing an at-home sleep test

Once your specialist has a proper diagnosis, they can recommend a treatment plan which includes a variety of anti-snoring devices.

Sleep aids include mouthpieces, anti-snoring pillows, chin straps, and a CPAP machine.

The first step to any snoring relief is contacting a specialist. If you believe you are a candidate for an at-home sleep study, contact your doctor today.