Have you ever been told you snore or stop breathing for short periods during sleep? Do you ever wake up with a dry mouth or a headache? These can be signs of sleep apnea. If you think you’re having trouble breathing at night, talk with your doctor about the possible causes and treatment options.

If your doctor thinks you may have sleep apnea, they may order an at-home sleep apnea test. Let’s take a peek at what to expect.

What Is a Sleep Apnea Test?

A sleep apnea test is a way your doctor can monitor your breathing patterns while you’re asleep. There are two main tests: One happens in a lab, and the other is done at home. The home test will measure your breathing and oxygen levels and may also track heart rate. The lab test, called nocturnal polysomnography, measures more details. These include heart, brain, and lung activity, as well as body movements.

Who Are They For?

Before the test, you’ll likely have an appointment to go over your symptoms, medical and genetic history, and any other information your doctor thinks would be helpful.

The at-home sleep apnea test can help your doctor check your breathing while you sleep. You may be prescribed an at-home sleep apnea test if your doctor thinks your symptoms are caused by sleep apnea, rather than another sleep disorder. If your doctor thinks you may have a different sleep condition or a more complex health issue, they may prescribe an in-lab study instead.

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when your throat muscles relax and block airflow. This can usually be measured with an at-home sleep apnea test. Central sleep apnea happens when the breathing muscles don’t get the right signals from the brain. This type of sleep apnea usually can’t be diagnosed with an at-home sleep apnea test, so an in-lab study is often needed.

The at-home test is a convenient and easy way to start getting a better idea of what’s going on while you sleep. It’s also nice because you can sleep in your own home, which may help you sleep a bit more normally versus sleeping in an unfamiliar environment like a sleep lab. If you have any questions about the test or insurance coverage, feel free to ask your healthcare team.

What Happens During an At-Home Sleep Apnea Test?

Before the test, you’ll have to get the equipment. This will usually be picked up at your doctor’s office or at the sleep clinic. Some testing centers might mail the equipment to you instead. If you go in person to pick it up, a member of the medical office will talk you through how to use it. If it’s mailed to you, they may walk you through it during a virtual appointment. Each kit comes with a set of instructions.

The test itself is a one-night test. On the day before your test, you don’t have to do anything specific to prepare. Just go about your day as usual. Try to stick to your usual nighttime routine and bedtime. If you’re taking any medication, double-check with your sleep study team to see whether you should take it on the day of your test.

When it’s time to go to bed, you’ll take all of the equipment from the kit and attach it:

• Pulse oximeter — This will attach to your finger to monitor your blood oxygen levels and heart rate.
• Effort belt with data collection device — This strap will fit around your chest to monitor breathing movements, and the device will record your data. All of the sensors will plug into the device.
• Nasal cannula — This tubing will fit into your nose to measure your airflow.

Some at-home kits also include a microphone to record snoring, which would be attached near the neck. The kits will usually include tape to help secure the nasal cannula and pulse oximeter more securely. Once you attach each of the pieces and plug them into the data collection device, you’re all set up. Some devices will start recording automatically once all the sensors are connected, while others will have a start button to push. Make sure you read the instructions carefully to see how to start recording on your device.

After setting everything up, you can sleep as normal. The device is just attached to you and not plugged in anywhere else. If you need to get up during the night to go to the bathroom, you can do so without taking off any of the equipment. If you wake up and notice any of the sensors have disconnected, just reconnect them and continue sleeping.

When you wake up in the morning, you’ll disconnect all of the sensors and put the equipment back in the package it came in. If it was mailed to you, you’ll likely need to mail it back. If you picked it up at your doctor’s office, you’ll go back to the office to return it.

After the Test

Once your doctor’s office receives your kit, the sleep team will analyze the data from your device. This can take days to weeks. Once they’re finished, they’ll contact you with the results. This could be a phone call, a message on their medical app, or a request to schedule a follow-up visit.

They’ll review the results with you and explain whether they suggest sleep apnea. Your doctor may go over how this affects your overall health and life expectancy. If they feel like the at-home test gave them enough information, they may begin to discuss treatment options with you. This can include the use of devices to help keep your airways open, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or oral appliances. More invasive treatment options involve surgery if other treatments are not helpful.

If your results were unclear or unusual, your doctor may suggest further testing, such as an in-lab study, to learn more. Your doctor might also recommend an appointment with other specialists, such as:

• An ear, nose, and throat specialist — They can check to see if there are other reasons for your blockage.
• A cardiologist — They can rule out heart-related causes for sleep apnea.
• A neurologist — They can check for brain-related causes of sleep apnea, which is more common with central sleep apnea.

Your doctor will guide you on the best course of testing and/or treatment after your at-home test. Your healthcare team can address any questions you have about sleep apnea, your sleep symptoms, types of sleep studies, or whether an at-home sleep apnea test might be right for you.

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