Many patients question the results of their testing when they have a bad night of sleep.
What is the alternative?
Fortunately, home sleep apnea testing may be an attractive consideration.
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What is home sleep apnea testing (HSAT)?
What Is Home Sleep Apnea Testing?
There are various devices available for this testing.
These might be accessed through a sleep specialist, primary care provider, or even independent for-profit companies.
Most home sleep apnea testing measures parameters useful to detect sleep-disordered breathing.
Is Home Sleep Apnea Testing Right for Me?
There are specific criteria that are used to identify patients who can undergo home sleep apnea testing.
These guidelines will maximize the success of the test and ensure the proper diagnosis.
Currently, it is recommended that pediatric patients still undergo an attended diagnosticpolysomnogram.
In some cases, there may be contraindications to home sleep testing.
In some cases, the factor may interfere with the proper administration of the test at home.
You will take it home and perform the test, typically over one or two nights.
If you are a responsible caretaker for another person, including children, this may make things easier.
There are fewer wires required for measurement, which makes the testing less intrusive and more comfortable.
Insurance often covers these expenses.
Due to the increasing availability, it might be done more quickly with a speedy turnaround to start treatment.
As noted, this testing is used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea alone.
If the test comes back as negative, with a normal result, this may not necessarily be accurate.
Mild sleep apnea may be missed.
This is especially important in younger women and people of normal body weight.
Any time spent awake will reduce the average number of sleep apnea events observed per hour of recording.
This could change the diagnosis or lead to a false sense of normalcy.
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