If you are experiencing sleep apnea symptoms, your doctor may suggest you undergo a sleep apnea test. It’s known as the polysomnogram (PSG). It can be performed in a sleep disorder center or at home.
A polysomnogram, also known as a sleep study, is an electronic test that captures specific physical activities you do while you are asleep. A certified sleep expert then examines the recorded data to determine whether you suffer from sleep apnea or another sleeping disorder.
If the exam results show the presence of sleep Apnea or apnea, you should do additional sleep tests to determine the most effective treatment.
The Truth About Home-Based Sleep Tests
They Track Breathing but Not Natural Sleep
- A sleep test aims to determine if a patient has sleep apnea. It tests the patient’s breathing but not the actual sleep.
- For instance, the test doesn’t look at the duration of your deep or light sleep. Instead, it’ll measure gaps in and out of breathing, the effort you exert to breathe, and whether or not the breath is shallow or deep.
Your Doctor Must Give It to You
- It’s not an over-the-counter test. Your primary doctor or the physician at the sleep clinic could make an order to test you at home.
It Makes Use of Sensors to Determine Patterns of Breathing
- The sensors have a small probe on your finger that determines oxygen levels. Another mask is inserted using tubes in your nostrils and placed over your ear, just like oxygen masks. Other sensors are on your chest and abdomen to monitor their height and decrease as you breathe.
It’s Only a Tiny Commitment
- The majority of at-home sleep tests are conducted for just one night. They are more affordable than a sleep study conducted in the clinic. It can range between a third and one-fifth of the expense of running an in-lab test and is often insured.
It’s Convenient
- When you study at home, you’ll be in the convenience of your own home and can provide an accurate assessment of your sleep patterns.
It Isn’t an Eliminated Apnea
- After the testing, the results will be examined by a sleep technologist and sent to your physician. If you continue to experience symptoms, the doctor may recommend an in-lab test.
- Tests at home can be in error. For instance, sensors could disappear at night. In a lab, there is a doctor on site to oversee you.
There Are Other Sleep Problems
- Sleep disorders do not all have to be caused by breathing problems. If you experience persistent breathing problems, you may not suffer from breathing problems due to apnea. Other sleep-related issues unrelated to the airways are movement disorders that can cause restlessness at night or narcolepsy.
- This neurological condition affects your body’s sleep-wake cycles and results in excessive sleepiness. The doctor you consult can help you determine the root of the problem.
What Is the Best Sleep Position for Sleep Apnea?
Side sleeping with straight your back is the best position for sleep.
Treatment
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)Open pop-up dialog box.
In milder sleep apnea, your doctor might suggest only changes to your lifestyle, for example, dropping weight or quitting smoking cigarettes. It is possible to alter the way you rest. If you suffer from allergies to the nose, your physician may suggest treatment for your allergies.
If these methods don’t help your symptoms, or if you’re apnea’s severity is severe or moderate, other treatment options are accessible.
Specific devices can help open a blocked airway. In other instances, it is possible to have surgery.
Can Sleep Apnea Be Cured?
Sleep apnea is not curable, and there is no specific cure for it is available.
Treatments for OSA
- Continuous positive pressure (CPAP). When you suffer from moderate or severe sleep apnea, you can benefit from a device that releases air pressure via the mask you wear while you rest. When you sleep with CPAP (SEE-pap), this air pressure is slightly more significant than the air around it and just enough to keep the upper airways open, which prevents apnea and sleep snoring.
- While CPAP is the most commonly used and effective treatment for sleep apnea, some are uncomfortable or uncomfortable with it. Many people decide to quit using the CPAP machine. With time, users learn to alter the straps’ tension on the mask to get an ideal and snug fitting.
- Try multiple mask types until you find one you feel comfortable with. Don’t quit using the CPAP device if you’re experiencing issues. Talk to your doctor to determine what adjustments can improve your satisfaction.
- Also, consult your doctor If you’re still snoring or starting to snore again, regardless of treatment. The CPAP machine may require adjustment if your weight or pressure levels change.
- Different airway device pressures. If a CPAP machine is still an issue your way, you can utilize an alternative airway pressure device that automatically regulates the pressure when you’re asleep (auto-CPAP). The devices that offer the bilevel pressure of positive airway (BPAP) are also available. These units provide more anxiety and less stress when you inhale.
- Dental appliances. A different option would be to wear an oral appliance designed to open your throat. CPAP is more effective than oral devices; however, oral appliances may be more convenient. Specific models are designed to open your throat by moving your jaw forward. This may help with snoring or mild sleep apnea with obstructive sleep.
- There are a variety of devices accessible from your dentist. It is possible to test different devices before finding the one suitable for you.
- When you’ve found the ideal suit, you’ll need to check in with your dentist regularly in the initial year and every year after that to make sure the fit is still satisfactory and to evaluate your health issues.
What Is the Fastest Way to Cure Sleep Apnea?
If you want to cure sleep apnea as soon as possible you can solve your health problems like lose your weight if you are overweight or you should take exercise regularly.
You’ll be able to read, listen or watch advertisements on TV about various treatment options to treat sleep apnea. Please discuss any treatment with your healthcare doctor before you try it.
Bottom Line
In-lab and at-home sleep apnea tests are used to measure essential functions like the rhythm of your breathing, heart rate, and oxygen level. The results of these tests could aid your doctor in determining if you suffer from sleep apnea.
The polysomnogram (PSG) in a laboratory is the most precise test to detect sleep apnea. Sleep apnea tests at home have acceptable precision. They’re also cost-effective and practical.