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Sleep Study at Home: Testing for Sleep Apnea

When loud snoring comes with pauses in breathing, gasping at night and tiredness all day, it can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that needs a doctor’s attention. It is diagnosed with a sleep study, and for many adults this test can be done at home. This guide explains which test suits whom, how the night goes and what comes next.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the muscles of the throat relax during sleep and the airway narrows or gets blocked. Breathing stops and starts again many times during the night, often without the person knowing it.

Signs that a family member may notice at night:

• Loud snoring
• Breathing that stops and starts
• Gasping, snorting or choking noises
• Waking up often during the night

Signs the person may notice during the day:

• Feeling sleepy or tired even after a full night in bed
• Difficulty concentrating, and mood changes
• Headaches in the morning, or a dry mouth on waking

It is more likely in people who are overweight, have a large neck, are older, or have a family history of it. Alcohol, smoking and sleeping on the back can make it worse. Children can have it too; if a child snores loudly or seems to stop breathing in sleep, speak to the child’s doctor. This guide is about testing in adults.

Why It Matters

Sleep apnea needs treatment because, left alone, it is linked with high blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeat, stroke, type 2 diabetes and depression. The daytime sleepiness it causes also raises the risk of accidents, at work and on the road.

Home Sleep Test or Lab Sleep Study?

There are two main ways to test for sleep apnea:

• Home sleep apnea test: a small, portable device worn for a night at home. It records breathing, airflow, oxygen level and pulse. It is used to check for obstructive sleep apnea only.
• Lab sleep study (polysomnography): an overnight stay at a sleep centre. Besides breathing and oxygen, it also records brain waves, eye movements, muscle activity and heart rhythm, so it can find other sleep problems too.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises that a home test is suitable for adults whose symptoms suggest moderate to severe sleep apnea and who have no other major health problems. A lab study is advised instead for people with:

• Significant heart or lung disease, such as heart failure or COPD
• A nerve or muscle condition that weakens the breathing muscles
• Shallow breathing while awake, or suspected shallow breathing during sleep
• Long-term use of opioid pain medicines
• A past stroke
• Severe insomnia, or a suspected sleep disorder other than sleep apnea

A home test can miss some cases. If the result is negative, unclear or the recording did not work well, but the symptoms continue, a lab study is advised. Your doctor decides which test is right for you.

How the Night Goes

The home device is small. It usually has a sensor at the nose to check airflow, a belt around the chest to check breathing movement, and a clip on a finger to measure oxygen and pulse. You sleep in your own bed as usual.

To get a good recording:

• Keep to your normal daily routine, and do not nap during the day.
• Avoid tea, coffee, cola and alcohol in the afternoon and evening before the test.
• Do not apply lotion, hair gel or makeup that night.
• Remove nail polish or artificial nails from the finger that will wear the clip.
• Ask your doctor in advance whether to take your usual medicines, including any sleeping pills, that night. Do not change any medicine on your own.
• Tell the team about any skin allergy. The sensors may cause mild skin irritation, which settles after they are removed.

Results and Next Steps

The main result is the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): how many times an hour breathing stops or becomes very shallow. As a general guide, the NHS describes 5 to 14 an hour as mild, 15 to 30 as moderate and more than 30 as severe. The doctor reads it with your symptoms.

Treatment depends on how severe it is and is decided by the doctor. It may include:

• Lifestyle changes: losing weight, stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol and sleeping on the side. For mild sleep apnea, these may be enough.
• CPAP: a machine that gently blows air through a mask while you sleep, to keep the airway open. It works best when used every night. Tell the doctor if the mask is uncomfortable or you get a dry mouth or blocked nose.
• Other options: a mouthpiece fitted by a dentist that holds the jaw forward, or in some cases surgery.

The NHS notes that sleeping pills can make sleep apnea worse, so take them only if your doctor advises.

Drowsy Driving: Stay Safe

Sleepiness from sleep apnea can cause microsleeps: brief moments of sleep, from a fraction of a second up to about 30 seconds, that can happen without warning. If you feel drowsy while driving, pull over in a safe place and rest, or let someone else drive. If sleep apnea with strong daytime sleepiness is confirmed, the NHS advises not driving until the sleepiness is under control.

When to Call the Doctor or 112

See a doctor if you or a family member has loud snoring with pauses in breathing, gasping at night or constant daytime tiredness. It helps to bring along the person who has watched you sleep. Call 112 at once for severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, or signs of a stroke such as a drooping face, weak arm or slurred speech.

How OSVI Healthcare Helps

With OSVI Healthcare’s diagnostic services at home, a sleep apnea study can be arranged in your own home, so you can sleep in your own bed instead of spending a night away. The reports are reviewed by OSVI doctors,.

• If you have not yet seen a doctor about the symptoms, book a doctor visit at home or an online consultation.
• If your doctor prescribes CPAP, OSVI can arrange a CPAP machine on rent or to buy, delivered and set up by trained staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a home sleep study as good as a lab sleep study?

For suitable adults, it is a recommended option. It records less than a lab study and can miss some cases, so a lab study may be needed if the result is negative or unclear.

Does the test hurt?

No. The sensors rest on the skin and are painless. Some people get mild skin irritation, which settles after the sensors are removed.

What if I cannot sleep well with the device on?

Keep your normal routine and avoid daytime naps and caffeine. If the recording is not good enough, the doctor may advise a lab study.

Can snoring alone mean sleep apnea?

Not always. Snoring is common, but snoring with pauses in breathing, gasping or daytime sleepiness should be checked by a doctor.

This article is provided for general information and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every patient’s situation is different, so please consult a qualified doctor for guidance specific to you. In a medical emergency, call 112.