Home Sleep TestRockville, MD
Home sleep tests offer patients an out-of-center study to determine whether they have sleep apnea. These overnight test records are cost-effective and convenient, limiting the need for in-lab and in-hospital sleep studies and regular doctor visits. Patients receive special equipment with detailed instructions on how to set it up at home. Most only need to record for one day to collect enough information for proper diagnosis.
At The Sleep Apnea Center, we offer home sleep tests for patients experiencing sleeping difficulties or disorders. Our Rockville team can assess your case and help you learn how to improve your symptoms and your sleep. Call 301-279-2600 for more information.
What Is a Home Sleep Test?
A home sleep test (HST), or home sleep apnea test (HSAT), is a method of monitoring sleep at home that patients can conduct themselves. According to the Sleep Foundation, HSTs can assist some patients in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea, the most common and severe type of sleep apnea. However, others may require additional testing or in-lab studies.
Sleep apnea is a potentially severe sleep disorder in which patients experience intermittent breathing during sleep. There are three main types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and mixed sleep apnea syndrome (MAS). Each can negatively impact oxygen levels and result in low-quality sleep. Moreover, patients with OSA commonly experience extreme fatigue, mood changes, headaches, and dry mouth in the morning.
"A home sleep test (HST), or home sleep apnea test (HSAT), is a method of monitoring sleep at home that patients can conduct themselves."
Home Sleep Test Devices and Equipment
In most cases, patients typically receive at-home devices or equipment to conduct sleep tests in the comfort of their own home. Sleep tests come in four types: types 1 and 2 are highly detailed and generally done in a lab, while types 3 and 4 collect more basic data and are often used at home. Devices and equipment used in home sleep tests include:
- Nasal breathing sensors
- Effort belts to track breathing-related chest movements
- Pulse oximeters for measuring blood oxygen levels
- Microphones to capture snoring sounds
Occasionally, additional equipment may be recommended to provide further insights into sleep patterns. Devices such as the Apnea Risk Evaluation System (ARES™) measure head position and movements, while WatchPAT® assesses blood flow changes that can indicate pauses in breathing. During an initial consultation, the sleep dentist will determine the most suitable types of home sleep tests and devices based on the patient's unique needs.
"Devices such as the Apnea Risk Evaluation System (ARES™) measure head position and movements, while WatchPAT® assesses blood flow changes that can indicate pauses in breathing."
Understanding the Home Sleep Test Process
Some patients may require only one day to achieve sufficient results for diagnosis, while others may need more tests or in-lab testing. For home sleep tests, patients receive their device or equipment and detailed instructions on how to conduct the test and what to do afterward. The process depends on the type of test and equipment a patient receives.
For most home sleep tests, the process is fairly simple. Patients attach a small sensor on their finger that measures oxygen levels and wear a mask held in place by the ears. The mask also has sensors that go into the nostrils and sensors connected to the abdomen and chest to measure airflow as they breathe. All sensors connect to a central data collection device that patients activate to start and end recordings.
"For most home sleep tests, the process is fairly simple."
Key Metrics in a Home Sleep Test
Home sleep tests generally measure nasal airflow, chest and abdomen movements, and blood oxygen levels to understand breathing patterns during sleep. Some tests also monitor peripheral arterial tone (PAT) using a finger sensor, which detects changes in blood flow that may indicate respiratory events.
The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) is a key metric that shows the number of complete pauses in breathing (apneas) and partial reductions in airflow (hypopneas) per hour of sleep. Another important metric, the Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI), captures the total number of breathing disruptions, giving a broader view of all breathing irregularities over the recorded period.
"Home sleep tests generally measure nasal airflow, chest and abdomen movements, and blood oxygen levels to understand breathing patterns during sleep."
Home Sleep Test Results: Informing Diagnosis and Treatment
After reviewing home sleep test data, the sleep dentist and their team can produce a full summary. This test summary will help accurately diagnose sleep apnea or suggest if a patient has another sleep disorder.
It is important to note that sleep tests monitor breathing, not actual sleep. They measure pauses in and the absence of breathing, how much effort it takes to breathe, and whether a patient's breathing is deep or shallow. Also, sleep tests do not completely rule out sleep apnea. In other cases, they may indicate sleep issues that do not affect the airways, such as movement disorders that cause nighttime restlessness or narcolepsy. A sleep dentist will discuss the patient's results and their treatment options upon official diagnosis.
"This test summary will help accurately diagnose sleep apnea or suggest if a patient has another sleep disorder."
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is a home sleep test from a sleep dentist?
Q. What devices and equipment are used in a home sleep test?
Q. How does a home sleep test work?
Q. What does a home sleep test measure?
Q. How do home sleep tests inform the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders?
Schedule a Consultation Today
Home sleep tests are available at our Rockville office. The The Sleep Apnea Center team looks forward to helping you achieve better sleep. Call us at 301-279-2600 to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you know if you have sleep apnea?
A. Only a healthcare provider can diagnose sleep apnea. However, a few common signs to look out for include persistent daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and a dry mouth upon waking. Many also experience frequent awakenings during the night, often due to difficulty breathing or a sensation of restlessness.
Q. Why would a sleep dentist recommend a home sleep test?
A. A sleep dentist may recommend a home sleep test to conveniently and accurately assess breathing patterns and possible disruptions during sleep. This type of test allows for the diagnosis of conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, which often go undiagnosed but can impact overall health and quality of life. The results help the sleep dentist create a personalized treatment plan.
Q. How can you get the most accurate results from a home sleep test?
A. For accurate sleep test readings, it is important to sleep on both the back and side. Sleep apnea and other disorders typically worsen in those who sleep on their backs (side-sleeping can often ease symptoms). Knowing what happens when the patient sleeps in different positions can help the sleep dentist pinpoint whether the patient may have sleep apnea or some other sleep disorder.
Q. How long do you need to conduct the home sleep test for?
A. Most home sleep tests are used just for one night. In some cases, acquiring enough information for a diagnosis may take more than one night. Rarely, patients may need to visit a sleep lab with more advanced equipment.
Q. What sleep disorders can a home sleep test help diagnose?
A. Home sleep tests are only used to diagnose sleep-disordered breathing issues, such as sleep apnea. They can also rule out sleep apnea and suggest other sleep disorders. However, in-lab sleep studies can help diagnose other sleep disorders, like narcolepsy and periodic limb movement disorders.
Definition of Sleep Apnea Terminology
- Peripheral arterial tone (PAT).
- A finger-worn sensor that tracks blood flow changes to detect breathing events during sleep.
- Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI).
- A measure of sleep apnea severity based on the number of breathing pauses and shallow breaths per hour.
- Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI).
- The total count of breathing disruptions per hour.
- Effort belt.
- A chest or abdomen band used in home sleep tests to measure breathing effort and identify apnea types.
- Home sleep apnea test (HSAT).
- Another name for a home sleep test, which is a diagnostic tool for monitoring breathing, oxygen levels, and airflow during sleep.
Contact Us
The Sleep Apnea Center is located at
350 Fortune Terrace #101B
Rockville,
MD 20854
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