Are you having trouble sleeping at night?
Diagnose the reason why you have insomnia with an at home sleep study test today. Our highly trained sleep doctors at My Concierge MD can help diagnose and treat the underlying reason for your difficulty in sleeping so you can finally receive the sleep that you deserve. Our state of the art sleep center & sleep medicine clinic is equipped with the most advanced equipment for digital polysomnography.
At home sleep study tests have advanced dramatically over the last few years. For most cases you do not need to sleep in a sleep lab to get tested for obstructive sleep apnea and a variety of other sleep disorders. Simplified overnight cardio respiratory studies or at home sleep studies can be used to do an in home sleep apnea test with accurate results. An in home sleep apnea test and obstructive sleep apnea treatment are easily arranged by our sleep doctors. Sleep deprivation can have many negative health effects and thus treatment of sleeping disorders are cruicial.
Do you need an at home sleep study?
Our Beverly Hills sleep study clinic provides at home sleep study testing throughout the Los Angeles area. Please provide us with your contact information in the Contact Us page or call 877-760-3570 so that we may schedule you for your appointment. Our state of the art sleep center will make your sleep study an easy and enjoyable experience.
What is an at home sleep study?
An at home sleep study is diagnostic tool used by sleep study clinics to evaluate a person’s sleep patterns and identify any potential sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, periodic lymb movement disorder, REM sleep behavioral disorder, bruxism, and parasomnia. An at home sleep study is conducted at ones home rather than in a sleep clinic lab.
What equipment do you use for at home sleep study?
We use the watchpat one at home test. This is a very advanced testing equipment that records a variety of parameters and can easily help diagnose a variety of sleep disorders and conditions. It is a very cost effective sleep testing device and is disposable; meaning once the test is done it automatically will send the data and there is no need to return it to the office. This is very convenient for patients and who want to take an at home sleep study!
Conditions that can be diagnosed with an at home sleep study
Sleep studies are performed to identify specific sleep patterns and diagnose potential sleep disorders. Some of the most common sleep disorders that can be diagnosed through an at home sleep study include:
- Insomnia – general term for difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea – Is a disorder characterized by apneas or hypoapnea which refers to pauses in breathing and a drop in oxygen saturations while you sleep. The reason for the apnea episodes is due to the airways becoming blocked by the collapse of the soft tissue in the back of the throat called the soft palate. The decrease in oxygen levels causes the person to wake up multiple times throughout the night.
- The severity of OSA is measured by the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). AHI calculates the average number of apnea and hypopnea episodes per hour of sleep. OSA can range from mild (AHI between 5-15) to severe (AHI greater than 30).
- Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) – is a neurological disorder that accompanies an uncomfortable sensation in the legs that can cause difficulty falling asleep. Patients with restless leg syndrome often report an uncontrollable urge to move the legs. They often also complain of uncomfortable sensations such as tingling, burning, or aching. This activity causes patients to have difficulty sleeping.
- Narcolepsy – Refers to excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks
- Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) – is associated with repetitive movements of the limbs during sleep which keep one awake
- REM sleep behavior disorder – characterized by the acting out of vivid and often violent dreams
- Bruxism – Patients with bruxism are often grinding their teeth or clenching their jaw during sleep
- Parasomnia – Refers to abnormal behaviors during sleep that patients are not aware of. These behaviors can include sleepwalking, night terrors, and sleep talking.
What paramaters are recorded by a sleep study?
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) – records brain activity to identify different stages of sleep
- Electrooculogram (EOG) – records eye movement to track the onset and duration of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
- Electromyogram (EMG) – records muscle activity to identify any movements or twitching during sleep
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) – records the electrical activity of the heart to detect any abnormalities
- Respiratory Effort – records the effort made by the person in breathing, this can be done through chest and abdominal movement sensors or nasal cannula.
- Oxygen Saturation – records the amount of oxygen in the blood, indicating any breathing problems such as sleep apnea
- Snoring and body position – Snoring is recorded by microphone and body position is recorded by accelerometer.
What are the types of sleep study tests?
There are several different types of sleep study tests performed to evaluate ones sleep patterns and identify sleep disorders. There are 4 types of sleep tests. Type 1 and 2 sleep tests, such as in-lab polysomnography, collect more detailed data than at home sleep study tests. Type 3 and 4 tests, such as home sleep apnea tests, collect less data and typically involve fewer devices.
Common devices used for sleep study tests include:
- Breathing sensor, such as a nasal cannula or nasal prongs, which track air pressure during breathing;
- An effort belt, which measures chest or abdominal movements associated with breathing
- A pulse oximeter, which measures oxygen levels in the blood
- A microphone, which records snoring.
All of these devices are connected to a data collection device that records and stores the data. In some cases, specialty devices may also be used to measure other parameters related to sleep apnea, such as the Apnea Risk Evaluation System (ARES).
The Apnea Risk Evaluation System (ARES) is a device that is used in conjunction with standard home sleep apnea testing devices to provide a more complete picture of a person’s sleep patterns. The ARES system involves monitoring many of the same parameters as a standard home sleep apnea test, such as breathing patterns and oxygen levels, but it also measures head position and movement.
The device worn on a headband that records the head position and movement, this can detect positional obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which is caused by the position of the person during sleep. The ARES system is designed to detect positional OSA which is a subtype of OSA that occurs when a person sleeps on their back and their soft tissue collapses in the airway.
The device is usually used in cases where the standard home sleep study test for sleep apnea are inconclusive or when the patient is suspected to have positional OSA.
Some of the most common types of sleep study tests include:
- Polysomnography (PSG): This is the most common type of sleep study test and is typically conducted in a sleep lab. It involves the use of multiple sensors and monitors to record brain activity, eye movement, muscle activity, heart rate, and breathing patterns.
- Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT): This test is conducted at home and uses portable equipment to monitor breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and other indicators of sleep apnea.
- Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): This test is used to measure a person’s daytime sleepiness and is typically conducted in a sleep lab. It involves taking several “naps” throughout the day and measuring the time it takes to fall asleep.
- Actigraphy: This test uses a small device worn on the wrist to track a person’s movements and sleep patterns over a period of several days or weeks.
- Portable Monitoring: This test involves using a device that records a person’s oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing patterns while they sleep.
- WatchPAT: This test is a home-based study which includes a disposable device worn on the finger to measure different parameters such as oxygen level and pulse rate.
It’s important to note that the type of sleep study test used will depend on the specific sleep disorder suspected and the patient’s needs. A sleep specialist will be able to recommend the most appropriate test for you after evaluating your symptoms and medical history.
How does getting an at home sleep study work?
A home sleep study, also known as a home sleep apnea test, is a diagnostic tool used to evaluate a person’s sleep patterns and identify any potential sleep disorders. The process typically involves several steps:
- Meeting with a medical professional: If you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, you will first make an appointment with your doctor. They may refer you to a sleep specialist or clinic for further evaluation.
- Meeting with a sleep specialist: The sleep specialist will ask more detailed questions and determine if a home sleep study is the best option for you. They will order the test and provide instructions on how to obtain the necessary equipment.
- Obtaining a home sleep study equipment: You will then receive equipment such as sensors and monitors to measure various aspects of your sleep, such as brain activity, eye movement, and breathing patterns. Staff will walk you through how to use each device.
- Carrying out the test: You will then carry out the test at home, following the instructions provided and trying to sleep at your normal times. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can affect your sleep.
- Returning the equipment: You will then return the equipment to the sleep lab or clinic for analysis.
- Learning the results: Once the data has been analyzed, your doctor or sleep specialist will discuss the results with you. They may give you a sleep apnea diagnosis and prescribe treatment such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, or they might ask you to undergo an in-lab sleep study if the results are inconclusive.
Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation is the condition of not having adequate amount of sleep. Sleep deprivation can be either acute or chronic. Lack of sleep can affect the brain and cognitive function.
Types of sleep disorders?
There are many different disorders of sleep and waking. Many suffer from insomnia, a disorder with falling and staying asleep. Others may have difficulty with excessive daytime sleepiness, while some have problems with sticking to a regular sleep schedule. Unusual behaviors during another subsets of sleep problems relates to sleep-disruptive behaviors.
Insomnia
The definition of insomnia is the repeated difficulty with the initiation, duration, maintenance, or quality of sleep despite the opportunity and time for sleep. Insomnia can be a symptom of a number of underlying medical or psychiatric conditions. One of our trained physicians can diagnose and treat the reason for your insomnia so that you can enjoy a good night’s rest.
How to fall asleep?
There are many factors that may affect one’s ability to fall asleep and stay sleep. Many factors such as habits, psychological elements such as stress, depression, anxiety play a role in the way we fall asleep and stay sleep. Many of us have had difficulty sleeping at one point in our lives and there are methods that do help with falling asleep and staying sleep. Eating well, use of imagination and relaxation techniques as well as habits can help you sleep better at night.