If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder marked by 10- to 30-second pauses in breathing that occur hundreds of times per night and often lead to daytime sleepiness, it is important for you to get diagnosed and treated. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and car accidents.
The sleep apnea test at home provides a simple way to diagnose sleep apnea, but it is not without limitations. To make an accurate diagnosis, the device needs to collect data from the right places on your body—including the nose, mouth and throat. In addition, the sensor must be able to distinguish between obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Can You Take a Sleep Apnea Test at Home
To ensure an accurate reading, doctors recommend avoiding napping, alcohol, and late or heavy meals on the night of your sleep apnea test at work. If possible, sleeping on your back and side is recommended, as obstructive sleep apnea tends to be worse when you sleep on your back, while side sleeping can alleviate the condition.
Most people who choose to take a sleep apnea test at the comfort of their own homes do so because it is more comfortable and costs less than a lab study. It also allows doctors to collect data over several nights instead of one, which is an important aspect for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea because the severity can vary from night to night.