Quick Pros and Cons of Home Sleep Apnea Test

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that can lead to many severe issues like chronic fatigue. It is essential to get yourself diagnosed at the earliest in order to avail the right treatment.

Earlier, the only way to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea was through sleep study or polysomnography. Today things have become even more advanced and convenient for people. Even though sleep study is a comprehensive diagnosis, it requires you to spend a night at the clinic and get hooked with electrodes.

With the introduction of home apnea test, people can diagnose their OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) at home. It is a convenient and comfortable self-diagnosis method.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is defined as restricted breathing for a long period while sleeping. According to reports, around 25 million Americans are affected by OSA. Sleep apnea often results in oxygen shortage, tiredness, and other health issues.

It is important to diagnose sleep apnea at the earliest and find the right solution to the issue. Many doctors suggest home apnea test for accurate diagnosis in their own comfort. It is said that when people sleep in their own bed, results can be highly accurate.

Even you conduct a home sleep apnea test, you need to show the results to your physician and follow-up with them.

What Are The Pros And Cons of Conducting a Home Sleep Apnea Test?
Like any other diagnostic test, there are positive and negative aspects of the home apnea test. Before taking up the test, it is important for you to be aware of it. Here are the pros and cons of this test:

Pros

Comfortable and Convenient: One of the major reasons why people prefer this test is that it is highly convenient and comfortable. You don’t have to be hooked up to electrodes in a clinic for a whole night. It might bring fluctuations in your results. Sleeping in your own surroundings can assure more accurate results.

Cost-Effective: You don’t have to spend an extensive amount on buying these test kits. Unlike costly clinic studies, the home apnea test is highly cost-effective. So you can always consider this test over the one conducted in labs.

Detects Breathing Patterns: This home sleep apnea test helps in detecting breathing patterns while you are asleep. It will check your oxygen levels and breathing patterns. There is a little probe attached to your finger and a mask to your nostril for detection.

Cons:

Not Detailed: It is an initial test to record the details of your breathing patterns and detect whether you are suffering from sleep apnea or not. If needed, you will have to go through a thorough check-up at the clinic and take part in a sleep study. So, you cannot consider them as a detailed test.

Only Work For Serious Issues: People suffering from serious health issues are the ideal users of this home sleep apnea test. STOP-BANG is the acronym used for the checklist of people suited for this test.

Snoring Loud
Tiredness, or sleepiness
Observation from someone else
Pressure (high blood pressure)
BMI higher than 35
Age above 50 years
Neck circumference more than 16 inches
Gender (more common among men)

Require Doctor’s Prescription: To conduct this home apnea test, you must have a doctor’s prescription. It is not like a regular over-the-counter test that you can easily buy. Your physician must prescribe it; only then can you take the test. Not all patients require a test at home; some can be treated with a regular medicinal prescription.

Doesn’t Suit Everyone: People already suffering from serious health issues must not take this test as it can worsen their situation. People who have heart issues, cardiovascular diseases, lung problems, or other chronic sleep disorders must not take this test at home. Instead, they should visit the clinic.

The Bottom Line
Home apnea test has become widely popular for detecting the presence of obstructive sleep apnea from the comforts of home. However, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of this test before you decide to go forward with it. Consult with your doctor and ascertain whether it is ideal for your condition.