Some symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, such as loud snoring and daytime exhaustion, are clear indicators that something is wrong. However, seeking an official diagnosis of the problem is still important. It will give your medical team a clearer idea of how to help you. However, you might hesitate to schedule an in-lab sleep test because the prospect of spending a night outside of your own home, hooked up to a bunch of wires, does not appeal to you. You might be more willing to try an at-home sleep test in Lawton, but perhaps you’re skeptical about the reliability of at-home tests. Let’s talk about at-home sleep studies and whether or not you can trust their results.
Are They Reliable?
To put it simply, yes. At-home sleep tests are reliable. They use advanced sensors to track a number of important metrics, including blood oxygen saturation, body movements, heart rate, and breathing depth. There is only one catch to the reliability of at-home sleep tests: In order to receive accurate results, you must take care to use your test equipment correctly. Be sure to follow all the instructions given to you, and don’t be shy about talking to your sleep test provider if you have questions about how to use it.
Do They Measure What You Need?
It’s true that in-lab sleep tests provide more detailed data than at-home ones. Therefore, if your doctor suspects that you have narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, or another condition that requires a more in-depth analysis of the quality of your sleep, they’ll likely refer you to a laboratory. However, if your symptoms make it apparent that you probably have sleep apnea, an at-home test should provide all the information your doctor needs.
What Happens After an At-Home Sleep Test?
At-home sleep apnea testing in Lawton is performed under the guidance of a sleep expert. After you return the sleep test equipment to the office that issued it, a doctor will analyze your results. Once they’ve had a chance to go over the data from your test, they’ll contact you and let you know what they discovered. They will also make recommendations for your next step in your journey toward achieving higher-quality sleep each night. Some months after you begin sleep apnea treatment, your doctor might recommend that you undergo a second sleep test, which will give you insight into how well your treatment is working.
Do you dislike the idea of undergoing an in-lab sleep test? Thanks to modern innovations in portable testing methods, you may be able to undergo this important diagnostic procedure in the comfort of your own home!
About the Author
Dr. David J. Drummond graduated from dental school almost 40 years ago. In the decades since then, he has devoted himself to providing top-tier care to his patients. He understands the importance of high-quality rest, which is why he offers both at-home sleep apnea testing and sleep apnea treatment. To learn more about Dr. Drummond and his services, contact our practice at 580-355-0344.