Can I Test Myself for Sleep Apnea?

An at-home

sleep apnea test

is an easy and cost-effective way to determine if you're having trouble breathing. A sleep

apnea

test at home is a very simplified breathing monitor that records breathing, oxygen levels, and respiratory effort while you are wearing it. Your doctor can provide you with simplified tests for you to use at home to diagnose sleep apnea. These tests usually measure heart rate, blood oxygen level, airflow, and breathing patterns.

At-home sleep apnea testing is an alternative to traditional sleep studies, which require spending the night in a sleep center under the supervision of a specialist. Home tests are usually used to confirm the suspicion of the presence of OSA. If your doctor asks you to do a test at home or if you qualify for the test without first consulting your doctor, you can do it yourself in the comfort of your own home. ASV (Adaptive Servo-Ventilation) seems to be more successful than other forms of positive airway pressure in treating complex sleep apnea in some people.Although doctors usually diagnose sleep apnea after conducting a sleep study in a laboratory, home tests are now available for those who want to find out if it is the cause of daytime exhaustion in the comfort of their own home.

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) can certainly cause sleep apnea because the misalignment of the jaw can block the airway and cause breathing problems. A trained technician can explain how to use the test device, and the results of a home sleep apnea test are best interpreted by a doctor or sleep specialist. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks and headwear come in many styles and sizes to comfortably treat sleep apnea.If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, you might find it useful to use a machine that supplies air pressure through a mask while you sleep. It's important to know that not all products marketed as sleep apnea tests have been shown to accurately detect obstructive sleep apnea.

Some sleep apnea tests require you to return by mail or return the equipment, which contains all of the stored sleep data. Laboratory sleep studies are used to diagnose sleep apnea, along with a wide range of other sleep disorders.Researchers say that reboxetine, a medication used to treat depression, may help relieve sleep apnea, but experts are concerned about the drug's side effects. In addition to being less expensive and more comfortable, home tests have the advantage of monitoring you in your natural sleep environment. Some people also notice problematic symptoms during the day that could be related to sleep apnea and self-determine or receive a doctor's recommendation to undergo a sleep study.

These summary measures are an indication of the number of breath-related sleep disorders you experienced per hour while you were sleeping or during the total time of the test.When you schedule your appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as changing your diet or keeping a

sleep diary

. Other common symptoms of OSA include frequent, loud snoring and wheezing or suffocation during sleep.