Your Guide to Preparing for Your Sleep Apnea Study

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where an individual experiences repeated stopping and starting of their breathing. If you have sleep apnea, you may snore loudly and feel tired during the day.

Sleep apnea can occur at any age but is more common in adults. It is also more common in men and people who are overweight. Treatment can relieve symptoms and may help prevent heart problems and other complications. If you think you might have sleep apnea, consult a specialist immediately.

What to Expect During a Sleep Apnea Study

Most sleep apnea studies are conducted throughout one night and usually take place in a sleep lab or hospital, however take home sleep studies are available as well. If you have a sleep study in a lab or hospital, you will be asked to arrive at the sleep lab a few hours before your scheduled bedtime so the staff can prepare you for the study. 

During the study, you will be hooked to various sensors to monitor your vital signs and sleep patterns. You may also be asked to wear a mask that delivers air pressure to your airway. If you are at a sleep clinic, the staff will be monitoring you throughout the night to make sure that you are comfortable and that the sensors are working properly. If you have a take home sleep test, the data is all collected and reviewed afterwards.

Preparing for Your Sleep Apnea Study

If you have sleep apnea, you already know how disruptive it can be to your life. You may snore loudly, wake up frequently at night, and feel exhausted during the day. Sleep apnea can also lead to serious health problems, like high blood pressure and heart disease.

One way to diagnose sleep apnea is with a sleep study, a test that is done overnight in a sleep lab or with a take home device. You will be monitored as you sleep to see how often you stop breathing and for how long. A sleep test will also keep track of how long it takes you to fall asleep and how often you wake up during the night.

You may be asked to do a sleep study if your doctor thinks you have sleep apnea. You may also be asked to do a sleep study if you have been snoring loudly or waking up frequently during the night.

If you are scheduled for a sleep study, there are a few things you can do to prepare. First, try to avoid caffeine and alcohol for at least a few hours before bed. You should also avoid napping during the day so that you will be tired at night. Finally, make sure to keep a regular sleep schedule leading up to your study so that you will be well-rested.

During the study itself, you will be monitored overnight as you sleep. In the morning, you will be able to go about your day as usual.

If you have a baby who sleeps in your room and wakes you up at night, try to do your in-home test on a night when the baby can sleep somewhere else. If you have a partner, teen or adult children who come home late on certain nights and wake you up, try to do your in-home test on a night when they won’t be coming home late.

Takeaway

A sleep apnea study will help your doctor determine if you have sleep apnea and, if so, how severe it is. This test is vital to help us learn how to treat this condition and improve the quality of sleep for those who suffer from it. Remember that sleep apnea can be a very serious condition, so it is essential to seek medical help if you think you may be suffering from it.

Do you need a sleep apnea test? Turn to Lethbridge Snoring & Sleep Apnea Clinic. We’re passionate about helping our patients achieve better sleep health. We provide sleep testing to help understand and assess underlying sleep conditions. Contact us.