Home Sleep Testing Specialist

What is home sleep testing?

If you have a suspected sleep disorder like sleep apnea, home sleep testing allows the physicians at Academy Diagnostics to monitor your sleep without needing you to spend the night in one of their sleep centers. 

Home sleep testing measures a variety of functions while you sleep, including:

• Airflow
• Oxygen saturation
• Heart rate
• Movement in your chest and abdomen
• Time spent snoring
• Sleep position
  
  

However, home sleep testing doesn’t measure your brain waves, sleep time, or leg movements like in-clinic sleep assessments. 

Why would I need home sleep testing?

At-home sleep testing is usually used to diagnose or rule out obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a condition that occurs when the soft tissue in the back of your mouth and throat relaxes and blocks your airways, stopping your breath and disrupting your sleep. 

OSA can wake you up as often as 30 times an hour. In addition to causing daytime fatigue, OSA is linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. 

Snoring is a common sign of OSA, but not everyone who snores has OSA. Other risk factors and signs of OSA include being overweight or obese, waking up with headaches or not feeling refreshed, and moodiness. 

What should I expect during home sleep testing?

When you have home sleep testing, Academy Diagnostics provides a portable monitor and equipment. They teach you how to use the at-home sleep monitor. 

Then, when you get ready for bed, you place the belt around your midsection, attach the clip to your finger, and put the airflow sensor under your nose. The apparatus collects data while you sleep, and you return the device to Academy Diagnostics the next day. 

Home sleep tests are often more convenient and comfortable than lab monitoring, and they’re more affordable. They’re usually a first step in identifying sleep disorders. 

What happens if my home sleep test shows abnormal results?

If your home sleep testing reveals sleep apnea, your physician talks to you about your treatment options, which might include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, oral appliances, or lifestyle modifications. 

However, if your results are abnormal but inconclusive, your physician might order additional testing, including sleep assessments, at Academy Diagnostics or electroencephalogram testing.

If you suffer from daytime tiredness or other signs of disrupted sleep, call Academy Diagnostics or make an appointment online today to learn more about home sleep testing and other sleep assessment options.