Why an at-home sleep study is often better than in a lab

If you think you might suffer from sleep apnea, you may be considering participating in a sleep study to determine what your next treatment steps should be. The thought of sleeping in a lab is unsettling for many people, so they opt to never even do a sleep study. But recently, at-home sleep studies have become more common, making it easier for people to determine whether they have sleep apnea. 

What happens during an in-lab sleep study?

If you choose to go to a sleep center to conduct your sleep test, technicians will attach a number of tools to your body to measure different aspects of your sleep. Technicians will attach: 

• Electrodes to your face and scalp to send electric messages to the measuring equipment
• A belt around your chest to measure breathing
• A sound probe to detect snoring
• Pressure transducers on your nasal region to measure airflow
• An oximeter probe on your finger to measure blood flow

Wearing this much technology can make it difficult to fall asleep when it is already uncomfortable to be doing your nightly routine in an unfamiliar environment. 

What happens during an in-home sleep study?

If you choose to do your sleep test at home, you can simply pick up your test at the office and return it when the test is over. Instead of the five measuring tools used in the lab, an in-home study will only use a belt, an oximeter probe, and an oral-nasal cannula. You simply do your normal nightly routine and attach all the equipment right before you go to bed. Doing it in the comfort of your own bed will make it easier for you to fall asleep, and might yield more accurate results because your sleep is more disrupted in a lab. Home studies are typically just as accurate as lab studies but are much more convenient and comfortable for the person being tested. 

Contact the OSA Team at Silent Night Therapy

If you have questions about sleep studies or suspect you might have sleep apnea, contact the team at Silent Night Therapy. You deserve a good night’s sleep, and we’ll be here to find the solution that will help you get it. Schedule your consultation with us by calling (631) 983-2463 or by filling out a contact form today.