Do you always wake up tired? Or, do you find yourself with a dry mouth or a headache while waking up? It could be obstructive sleep apnea. You get this problem if your breathing gets interrupted often for more than 10 seconds while sleeping.
Obstructive sleep apnea takes place due to the relaxation of throat muscles. When your throat muscles get relaxed, you experience narrowing of the airway due to which there will be an interruption in breathing.
People suffering from obstructive sleep apnea are usually not aware of the difficulty in breathing, even on awakening. It is usually observed by others due to its effects on the body. If an individual is suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, then the following signs and symptoms are witnessed:
- Severe headache during daytime
- Insomnia
- Nocturia
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Obesity
- Sore throat
- Feeling sleepy during day time and fatigue
- Creating noisy sounds during sleeping hours
- High blood pressure
- Difficult to concentrate
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Restless sleep or sweating at night
- Choking or breathless at night
- Chest pain is witnessed at night
- Decreased or loss of libido (sex drive)
- Snoring sound is so noisy that it can create irritation to the sleeping partner
This is where at-home sleep apnea testing proves to be the simple and cost-effective method to determine whether you are having any trouble breathing.
What is at-home sleep apnea testing?
A home sleep apnea test is a simple breathing monitor that can track your breathing and oxygen levels. As this test is performed overnight, you will get a thorough evaluation of sleep issues.
A sleep specialist could track signals including brainwaves for sleep, leg movements, and muscle tone. Hence, the sleep specialist recommends this test be performed at a sleep center for people with breathing, heart, or neuromuscular conditions.
Here’s what to know further about the test.
The Facts about At-home Sleep Tests
1. The doctor should prescribe this test
As a sleep test is not an over-the-counter test, the physician either recommends you to undergo it in a sleep lab or use it at home.
2. Breathing is monitored and not the actual sleep
The sleep test monitors breathing parameters and not sleep. This test won’t analyze whether you are in a light sleep or deep sleep. Instead, it will determine the effort you take to breathe, and whether the breathing is shallow or deep. Furthermore, the sleep test will measure pauses that occur during your breathing.
3. It doesn’t rule out sleep apnea.
After undergoing a sleep test, the sleep specialist will review your results. If symptoms persist, you will have to go for an in-lab study if the sleep test was conducted at home. At the sleep lab, the specialist will be monitoring you.
4. There is a possibility of other sleep issues.
Not all sleep disorders involve breathing trouble. If you still have symptoms, the condition may not be sleep apnea. There are other sleep issues like narcolepsy, otherwise called nighttime restlessness, that can affect sleep-wake cycles and lead to excess sleepiness.
5. The sleep test uses sensors to figure out breathing patterns.
There is a small probe over your finger to measure oxygen levels. Another mask with tubes is inserted into your nostrils and secured around your ears. This looks similar to an oxygen mask. Similarly, the sleep therapist will place other sensors on your chest and abdomen to determine the fluctuations while breathing.
Book Your In-home Sleep Study in Apurva Today
At Apurva Advanced Medical Care, we take special care to address each patient’s unique needs. We’re proud to offer a wide range of services from wellness exams to sleep studies. For more information or to schedule an appointment with our specialists, please visit our website.