How do I get tested for sleep apnea?

In case that you suspect you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, the first step is to seek diagnosis. This way you can start treatment of the debilitating sleep apnea symptoms and finally enjoy a better night’s sleep and a healthier life.

Seek a sleep physician near you to get tested for sleep apnea and learn your Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which will tell if you actually have sleep apnea or not. Schedule an appointment with your care physician who will direct you to a sleep clinic where you can undergo polysomnography (sleep test) to examine your sleep.

The other option you have is test yourself for sleep apnea by using a sleep monitor at home!

Home sleep testing has become one of the most popular options among sleep apnea sufferers as it is convenient, easy and reliable! 

Diagnosis

The first step in the proper diagnostics of obstructive sleep apnea is having your symptoms carefully analysed by a certified sleep physician. The symptoms are often observed by your bed partner first as they can more easily detect your interrupted breathing pattern at night and the sounds of strange and irregular snoring.

You are likely to suspect that you have sleep apnea as well by feeling its debilitating effects on your daily life – feeling exhausted after sleeping, lack of concentration during the day, gasping for air at night, etc. 

Nocturnal polysomnography

Polysomnography is a specialised screening test during which special diagnostic equipment (detectors and monitors) are attached to during sleep. The monitors keep track of your nocturnal breathing habits, brain activity, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, arm movements and more in order to detect the presence of alerting symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or central sleep apnea.

Most polysomnography tests are performaned at sleep disorder clinics where they have the proper equipment and medical staff for the purpose. The test completely safe and reliable, and after it a sleep specialist will determine if you need additional evaluation. 

Home sleep test

Check out our home sleep test devices used at home to diagnose sleep apnea HERE.