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In general, at-home sleep studies are most useful for diagnosing sleep apnea and insomnia. That is why these studies are also sometimes called at-home sleep apnea tests. Drowzle is an FDA cleared home sleep apnea screening system that can be done from the comfort of your own bed.

A breathing monitor and sensors can track your oxygen levels and breathing when you wear it while asleep. If the sleep specialist suspects you have a sleep disorder, they may recommend an at-home sleep study as the next step in the diagnosis. This is recommended before you take any type of sleep medicine or have therapy.
How does a sleep study at home work?
You simply download the free Drowzle app to your smartphone much as you would any other app. Place the smartphone within 2 feet of your pillow while you sleep. It records and stores your oral and nasal breathing sounds, counting and measuring the gaps in your breathing and other metrics. While you may suspect you have sleep apnea, only a healthcare provider can evaluate your symptoms, health history, and risk factors and make an official diagnosis. If you qualify for an at-home sleep apnea test, the equipment may be delivered to your home, or you may need to pick it up from a sleep center. There are three different types of home sleep apnea devices, though types 3 and 4 are the most common.

The expansion and contraction of your abdominal and chest areas as you breathe is tracked by additional sensors. A follow-up sleep study might help your doctor figure out what to do next if your symptoms from a sleep problem aren’t better with treatment. Bring your pajamas, a book, a toothbrush and other necessities, and clothing to change into the next day if your sleep study will be conducted at a clinic. It can be challenging for a sleep doctor to diagnose the precise cause of your sleep difficulties during an initial consultation. They will know exactly how you sleep each night and how much time you spend in each sleep stage after doing a sleep study. When doctors suspect you have a sleep condition, they may recommend a sleep study.
Home Sleep Study Devices
You'll need to place the sensors on your body and turn on the machine according to the instructions. If you’ve had it with tiresome days and restless nights, read on. The device you will receive will also allow you to perform multiple studies, and all at a small fraction of the typical cost of an in-clinic sleep study. At Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA, we are committed to helping our patients resolve their sleep problems. We offer different types of sleep studies that aim to improve your health. You are given your sleep study results within 48 hours after your test, which allows us to begin treatment as soon as possible.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to better health and better rest, but no one has time to sleep, let alone figure out how to upgrade the sleep they’re getting. Based in Los Angeles, she is an experienced writer and journalist who enjoys spending her free time at the beach, hiking, reading, or exploring new places around town. The obvious advantage of administering a sleep test at home is the home part. For example, certain individuals may prefer the comfort of their bed to help them sleep easier, especially if they are wearing medical instruments. The first measure examines your airflow in the nasal passages and mouth.
How Can I Prepare for a Home Sleep Study
The goal of a sleep study is to determine what next steps to take in your care. Sleep studies are used to detect a range of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and REM sleep disorder behavior. Type 3 home sleep apnea tests are highly accurate at detecting sleep apnea in people considered likely to have a moderate or severe form. The test becomes less accurate for people with certain other health or sleep disorders. When undergoing a home sleep apnea test, you generally have to pick up special equipment from your doctor’s office or a sleep clinic. Then, you carefully follow the instructions provided regarding how to use the various test devices given to you.
You can make a follow-up visit with your sleep specialist to review your test results. Get tested for sleep apnea with Lofta’s WatchPAT, the most affordable and advanced portable diagnostic device on the market. All done from the comfort of your own home working 1-on-1 with a Lofta Sleep Coach.
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After you arrive at the sleep center , a technician will apply small sensors to your head and body with adhesive. The wires connecting the sensors to a computer are usually gathered over your head with plenty of slack so you can move around during sleep. Elastic belts also may be wrapped around your chest and abdomen to measure breathing. And a clip may be placed on your finger or earlobe to monitor oxygen levels in your bloodstream.

Furthermore, poor sleep does not necessarily mean you have apnea specifically. There are other sleep disorders that can interfere with rest, such as insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and narcolepsy. A home sleep test is also not as accurate as those done in a sleep lab setting. For instance, a sleep technician can ensure the equipment does not come off at night and is placed on correctly. Even if you do a home sleep test, your doctor may still recommend one in the lab as well to secure more accurate results. Another perk to home tests is that they are more economical compared to sleep center ones.
As a result, it is important to share all of your symptoms and sleep problems with your doctor when considering a home sleep study. In home sleep apnea tests, you will receive a device from your doctor and instructions on how to use it. Before bed, follow the instructions for attaching the sensors and turning on the device.

This gives us accurate information and allows us to picture your usual sleep patterns and habits better. Sometimes, an at-home sleep apnea test will produce inconclusive results or indicate a negative result when you have symptoms of sleep apnea. If you have signs, symptoms, or risk factors that indicate you may have OSA, your doctor may recommend that you follow the home sleep study with in-clinic polysomnography. Only a doctor can prescribe and order an at-home sleep study for you. In the United States, the FDA classifies products used for at-home sleep studies as medical devices. Federal regulations help to ensure that at-home sleep tests are effective and safe for people to use.
A home sleep test can cost as little as $125 depending on your current health insurance coverage. Luckily, at-home sleep study kits are becoming more popular and accessible and come at a fraction of the cost of a lab sleep study. You can now find out your risk level for Obstructive Sleep Apnea from the comfort of your own bed with minimal equipment and usually for under $200. The information gathered during a PSG can help doctors prescribe medication or make other recommendations to improve sleep. For example, if obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed, a doctor may recommend the use of a continuous positive airway pressure machine. Type I sleep studies are conducted in a sleep lab with a sleep specialist.