An estimated 29.4 million adults in the U.S. have sleep apnea, and 80% go undiagnosed and untreated. Unfortunately, many men write off their sleep apnea as insomnia, and women underreport snoring. This makes it difficult for physicians and dentists to screen for sleep apnea, diagnose, and provide life-changing treatment.
Many people find the process of getting a sleep apnea diagnosis daunting. Not to mention the fear of using CPAP for the rest of your life! However, people who have sought treatment and continue to use it report an overall increase in their quality of life.
Seeking sleep apnea treatment and your treatment path doesn't have to be a hassle. SleepTest.com makes diagnosis and treatment easy with our online patient portal and telemedicine visits that pair you with a sleep dentist who can help you get the right treatment for your lifestyle.
You Might Have Sleep Apnea if...
Knowing the signs of sleep apnea is the first step in getting a diagnosis and getting the sleep your body craves. There are three types of sleep apnea.
- The first and most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It's when there's an obstruction in your airway, usually caused by soft tissues, that doesn't allow oxygen through to your body as you sleep.
- The second type is much less common; Central Sleep Apnea. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn't tell your lungs to breathe.
- Finally, the third type is a combination of the two above and is usually caused by an over-dependence on a CPAP.
In all cases, you stop breathing during sleep and only resume breathing when your brain panics and briefly awakens you. You likely won't notice these awakenings, but you'll know something isn't right if you experience these common symptoms:
- Loud snoring
- Daytime sleepiness
- Low energy
- Morning headaches
- Brain fog
- Memory problems
- Mood disturbances
- Frequent nighttime urination
Check out the other symptoms of sleep apnea here. You can also utilize our sleep questionnaire if you're uncertain.
Did you know you can get an in-home sleep study?
If you're experiencing the above symptoms, it might be time to get an in-home sleep study. In-home sleep studies are a great option for people who want to get a diagnosis but can't take the time to go to a sleep lab. Here are some things to know about an at-home sleep test.
At-Home Sleep Tests are Convenient and Affordable
SleepTest.com offers an in-home sleep study that doesn't require you to ever visit a sleep doctor in person. We'll send the test right to your door with clear instructions. After you complete the two-night study, you'll send it back to us for our certified sleep doctors to analyze.
Each appointment with your sleep doctor will be via telemedicine so you can take the test anywhere at any time.
At-home sleep tests are also affordable because you don't pay for lab time or lab techs to watch over you at night. You can pay through insurance or out of pocket.
At-Home Sleep Tests Check for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Your home sleep study can accurately determine if you have obstructive sleep apnea and its severity. An at-home sleep test does not measure brain waves, so it can't determine central sleep apnea or other sleep disorders like insomnia.
In-Home Sleep Studies Monitor Breathing
While you sleep, your sleep study will monitor your breathing and heart rate through sensors. You'll wear a chest sensor, an effort sensor, an oximeter finger sensor, and a nasal cannula. The data collected by these sensors will tell your sleep dentist about your breathing, heart rate, and blood oxygen level. These factors will determine your AHI.
Home Sleep Apnea Tests Require Two Nights of Testing
Home sleep tests require two nights of testing to get the most accurate data because sleep apnea fluctuates from night to night.
Home Sleep Studies are Accurate
You might wonder if your at-home sleep test is as accurate as a lab sleep study. At-home tests are very accurate when it comes to diagnosing sleep apnea but may not be the best option if you have other health conditions that interfere with your sleep. Talk to one of our sleep physicians through telemedicine to determine if an at-home test is right for you.
At-Home Sleep Tests Give Quick Results
Once you send your test results back to SleepTest.com, you'll get your results within about a week.
SleepTest.com Refers You to a Sleep Dentist
SleepTest.com will refer you to a sleep dentist after your obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis. Your sleep dentist can help determine which sleep apnea treatment is right for you.
If you have severe sleep apnea, you can discuss CPAP and which type of mask would be best. If you have mild to moderate sleep apnea, Oral Appliance Therapy is a great, low-cost, comfortable option to treat your sleep apnea. And in some cases, your sleep dentist may recommend a combination of the two for the best sleep apnea treatment.
Order an In-Home Sleep Test From SleepTest.com
Are you ready to finally get the good night's sleep you deserve? Order your sleep test and get your life back.
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