Sleep apnea is a very common sleep disorder in the United States. About 24 million people live with symptoms of sleep apnea without knowing that they have it. There are many individuals who will only be able to get diagnosed with an at-home sleep apnea test as they won't have access to a sleep center that does them.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where the muscles in the back of the throat relax, blocking the airway during exhalation. The body must then wake up briefly to begin breathing again. These awakenings are often unrecognized by the sleeper, but may be heard by bed partners or observers who witness the chocking, coughing, and snoring associated with sleep apnea. The sleeper may feel excessively tired during the day, have headaches, and find it hard to stay awake, but be unsure why.

Treating OSA can help relieve some of these symptoms, but also prevent the development of many serious diseases like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. This is why diagnosing and treatment are extremely important. Continue reading to learn more about at-home apnea tests.  

What is an at-home sleep apnea test? 

A home sleep apnea test is a way of diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea in a person's home so they don't have to go to a laboratory for testing. It uses portable devices that can measure breathing and other health signs while someone sleeps.

At home sleep apnea tests are different from sleep studies, or polysomnography. A PSG has to take place at a lab because of the various metrics that are studied while you're sleeping. There is a lab tech that monitors you while you sleep that can take additional notes of sleep behaviors.

PSG is the most common way to diagnose OSA, but an at-home test could also be useful for individuals who may not have time or access to a PSG. If you have symptoms that could be sleep apnea, then you might be the perfect candidate for an at-home sleep test. Doctors don't typically recommend at-home sleep apnea tests for people who may have other disorders like narcolepsy or insomnia. Therefore, your symptoms should pretty much align directly with OSA with little room for another diagnosis before you will be approved for an at-home test.

How at-home sleep apnea test work

At-home sleep apnea tests consist of sensors that are applied to your body to measure variable metrics and vitals. These measurements can help a doctor confirm a diagnosis of sleep apnea. The number of sensors and types of measurements will depend on the specific test device. The device can collect information using a wrist band, finger clip, chest strap, nasal cannula, or sensors that are placed on the chest and back. Many instruments may record a sleeper's breathing effort, snoring, airflow, oxygen blood level, heart rate, body position, and peripheral artery tone.

Some at-home tests can measure as many as seven variables, and others only measure three variables. Your doctor can help ensure that you receive the right equipment and are informed on how to properly use it. Most of the time, you'll only need the equipment for just one night to collect enough data for your doctor to interpret. 

Are you a candidate for an at-home test? 

If your doctor suspects that you have mild obstructive sleep apnea, and you don't have any characteristics that could interfere with an at-home test, then you would be a good candidate for an at-home test. 

At-home sleep apnea test are a good option if you are not able to make an appointment at a sleep clinic. Many Alaskans may live far away from our sleep center, and are unable to come in-person. This could be a possible situation in which an at-home test was appropriate. You may also heavily prefer the comfort of your own home, and are only willing to sleep in your bed. 

Doctors may be more apprehensive about at-home tests if you have other conditions or another sleeping disorder that won't be picked up on that test. Conditions that could complicate your OSA and disqualify you from an at-home test include heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, regular opioid use, and a history of stroke. 

Your job could also be a disqualifier if you do something that involves the safety of other individuals (driving, flying, operating heavy machinery, etc.). This is because the risk of becoming drowsy due to a missed OSA diagnosis could be too high and endanger the lives of others, so they would rather have a more accurate reading from a in-lab test. 

Remember that just because you are doing an in-home test does not mean that you are completely out of an in-lab polysomnagraph. If your results are negative, but your history still suggests OSA, then your doctor may want to do a polysomongraph anyways. 

Benefits and risks of an at-home test 

Doing an at-home test can be extremely beneficial, but could also come with some risks. One benefit is that these tests can be performed in the safety of your own home. This could help normalize your sleeping to give you results that best reflect how you actually sleep. Other benefits include its convenience, affordability, arranging around your schedule, reduced time commitment, and discretion. 

The risks of doing an at home test, however, must be weighed against the benefits. Remember that at-home sleep apnea tests are less accurate. Even though they are improving, they are considered to not be as accurate as an in-lab test. At home tests are more likely to miss a diagnosis, and if you receive a negative reading, then that may not be completely true. 

Also, there is no overnight support, meaning there is no tech or worker onsite that can help you with adjusting or repositioning equipment. Not only is there no onsite support, but there is incomplete data as home test cannot collect the same amount of information that an in-lab polysomnography can. They don't record brainwaves or the other vital signs that may help with another diagnosis. 

Understanding at home results 

If you take an at-home test, then you should talk with the doctor about your results. Home tests just provide a bunch of raw data that has to be interpreted by a professional. That professional will generate a report and go over it with you. Then you, your sleep doctor, and your primary care physician will use that report to come up with a treatment plan. 

One measurement that your doctor may speak with you about is the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). This is the average number of breathing disruptions for each hour that you have slept during the test. Doctors that use AHI to diagnose OSA will be able to see how severe the condition is. The more pauses you have, the more severe your OSA is. 

If your tests are negative or inconclusive, but your doctor still thinks you have OSA based on your history, then, they may order a sleep apnea test done in the lab. The lab test is more sensitive and specific, meaning it has a better chance of picking up on sleep apnea, and confirming that it's sleep apnea and not another sleeping disorder. You may also want to check with your insurance to see if they require a negative at home test before they are willing to pay for an in-lab polysomnography. 

How to prepare for a home test 

At-home tests are better than in-lab tests because everything you need is right there. You'll want to make sure you can have a good night of sleep the night of your test. That means leading up to your test, getting consistently good nights of rest so you can get an accurate reading. 

Other aspects of your behavior that you may have to alter for a more accurate reading include avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and napping. You should continue taking your medication as prescribed, and avoid gels, lotions, or creams that could make it more difficult for the sensors to stick. 

If you think that you have sleep apnea and would like to talk more about your eligibility for an at-home test, then please click the orange button to take a free online sleep test and talk with one of our sleep health professionals. 

https://thesleepdoctor.com/sleep-study/at-home-sleep-apnea-test/