If you have reason to believe you have sleep apnea, it is important that you get a test done as soon as possible so that you can begin treatment and be on your way to safer, healthier, more restful sleep.
At-home sleep apnea tests are used to detect symptoms that may indicate sleep apnea. It measures whether you are having difficulty breathing while asleep, your heart rate and oxygen levels, how much you move or change position while sleeping, and whether you snore and, if so, how intensely and for how long.
You may want to do an at-home sleep apnea test if you snore, wake up frequently during the night, have a dry mouth when you wake up, or experience sleepiness during the day. All of these could be indicators of sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that greatly affects your quality of life.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious complications such as heart failure, so the sooner you take a sleep apnea test, the sooner you can get appropriate treatment.
When you spend the night at a sleep research facility to get a sleep apnea test, they are able to test for more things than your at-home test does. In-person sleep apnea tests, for example, usually test your brain waves and leg movements while you sleep, all of which lead to a more accurate overall picture of your sleep behaviors. However, there are a few advantages to the at-home test, which makes it a more accessible option to more people.
4 Benefits of At-Home Sleep Apnea Tests
Sleeping in Your Own Bed
When you choose to do an at-home sleep apnea test, you enjoy the benefit of being able to sleep at home in your own bed. For a lot of people, it is difficult or even impossible to fall asleep and stay asleep in an environment they are not accustomed to.
This could prevent sleep researchers from getting an accurate idea of how you breathe and move while you are sleeping. In general, people are much more comfortable sleeping in their own beds.
Eliminate Scheduling Conflicts
People are busy. No matter what demographics you fall under, you almost certainly have a lot going on. This can include work, school, home maintenance, preparing meals, caring for children, hobbies, and much more.
Between juggling all your current obligations, it can prove very tricky to find time to schedule any type of medical appointment. Even when in-lab appointments are made, they sometimes need to be changed or canceled last minute due to unforeseen circumstances such as a sick child or transportation issues.
At-home sleep apnea tests are a convenient option as you will only need to pick up the device at your doctor’s office and administer it yourself at home.
Faster Results
The results of an in-lab sleep apnea test usually take about two weeks to be interpreted before the patient can be told whether they have sleep apnea or not. Those intervening two weeks can be very nerve-racking and can be a large source of anxiety for people waiting to hear their results.
Another benefit of taking sleep apnea tests at home is that you get your results much faster. In fact, with SleepWell’s WatchPAT system, you can see your results in as little as 1 minute after your session!
Lower Cost
In the United States, the average cost of an in-lab sleep apnea study can cost between 1,000 and 7,000 dollars depending on where you live and the specific doctor’s fees. That high cost is too much for many people to afford. At-home sleep apnea tests, on the other hand, are much more affordable, and they are even covered by insurance in many cases!
If you are not sure whether an at-home sleep apnea test is right for you, you can take a free online sleep assessment. To learn more and discuss your options for sleep apnea treatment in Lafayette, LA, contact SleepWell Louisiana today!
Take our 1-minute sleep assessment!