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Sleep Apnea Facts
What is Sleep Apnea? Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by episodes while sleeping in which breathing ceases or is abnormally shallow. These episodes restrict airflow and reduce blood oxygen levels during sleep. Common symptoms include:
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Waking up with a very sore or dry throat
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Loud snoring
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Occasionally waking up with a choking or gasping sensation
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Sleepiness or lack of energy during the day
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Sleepiness while driving
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Morning headaches
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Restless sleep
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Forgetfulness, mood changes, and a decreased interest in sex
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Recurrent awakenings or insomnia
In obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type of sleep apnea with an estimated 22 million afflicted Americans, the muscles in the throat intermittently relax and collapse, blocking the airway. In central sleep apnea, breathing episodes occur because the brain does not send the proper signals to the muscles in the throat. People may suffer from both of these conditions, which may be referred to as complex or mixed sleep apnea.
Why is getting treated for sleep apnea important? If left untreated, in addition to experiencing any of the above symptoms, sleep apnea may put you at risk for more serious health conditions such as:
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Hypertension
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Stroke
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Congestive heart failure
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Atrial fibrillation
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Diabetes
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Coronary artery disease
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Depression
Get Diagnosed with a sleepathome® Test
Why sleepathome®? Getting a sleep can often be an exhausting affair between long wait times to see a physician, spending the night in a sleep lab hooked up to intrusive equipment, and even more wait time before getting results. By choosing a sleepathome® test, you can get tested easily in the comfort of your home and avoid long wait times!
How it works:
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Your order is initiated when either A) you place an order directly on our website by clicking here, or B) your physician meets with you for an examination and places an order with a provider participating with Sleepathome Diagnostic Testing, which is required for all insurances. Have your physician contact us to be connected with a participating provider!
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Once your order has been received and reviewed, a representative will be in touch with you to discuss your insurance coverage/financial responsibilities and the testing procedure. The testing device will be mailed to your home (local pickup is also available for some patients).
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Once your testing device is received, a representative will get in touch with you in the evening to instruct you on how to setup the device. Instructions will also be included with the device.
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After sleeping overnight with the device, return the device using a prepaid US mail label (local drop-off available for some patients).
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The data from the device will be scored by a registered polysomnographic technologist and interpreted by a board certified sleep medicine physician.
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Your physician will receive the interpreted sleep report within 24 hours to discuss the results of your sleephome® test.
Your physician may also be registered with our clinical portal for even quicker order submission and report delivery!
Who is sleepathome® for? If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or is diagnosed with a condition closely linked to OSA, a sleepathome® test is a great, convenient choice for confirming or ruling out a diagnosis. Home sleep tests are covered by Medicare and most major insurance payers and cost substantially less than in-lab sleep tests.
In certain cases, an in-lab sleep test may be preferred or mandated. Home sleep testing is not recommended for the following comorbid conditions:
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Pulmonary disease
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Congestive heart failure
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Neuromuscular disease
In addition, an in-lab sleep test should be considered if one or more of the following is true:
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Comorbid sleep disorders such as narcolepsy are suspected
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You require a sleep study to calibrate the ideal pressure for a CPAP/BIPAP device
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Following a sleep apnea diagnosis from a home sleep test, use of the prescribed Auto-CPAP is insufficient in providing adequate therapy
Treating Sleep Apnea
What are my options for treating my sleep apnea diagnosis? If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are multiple forms of treatment to consider:
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PAP (Positive Airway Pressure) Therapy: The most common form of treatment and considered the gold standard by sleep medicine practitioners. PAP devices gently blow air through your airway to keep it open, preventing apneas from occurring. An auto-CPAP (APAP), which uses an advanced algorithm based on your breathing habits during sleep to deliver the optimal pressure between a set range of pressures, is most commonly prescribed following a sleep apnea diagnosis from a sleepathome® test. CPAP, which uses a constant pressure, and BIPAP, which is used when CPAP/APAP are not effective, may also be prescribed following an in-lab titration sleep test.
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MRD (Mandibular Repositioning Device): An oral appliance (similar to a mouth guard) that adjusts the lower jaw and tongue in a position that mitigates airway obstructions. MRDs can be effective for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea but are not recommended for patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea and central or complex sleep apnea.
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Upper airway surgery: A surgery that removes tissue in the throat to reduce the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea.
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Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation: A medical device implant that reduces the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea by electrically stimulating the hypoglossal nerve to the tongue.
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Lifestyle changes can help reduce occurrences of sleep apnea such as weight loss, avoidance of alcohol and sedative medication, and quitting smoking, although should not be considered as replacements for treatment.
How Do I Pick a Treatment Provider? With years of experience in sleep apnea testing and treatment, Sleepathome Diagnostic Testing can help provide recommendations for exceptional treatment providers. A knowledgeable and caring durable medical equipment provider for PAP therapy can be particularly crucial in ensuring that you acclimate to your treatment. Our knowledgeable staff can also help you understand your test results and determine the best course for treatment and are available by phone Monday through Friday 9am-5pm EST or by emailing support@sleepathome.net.