Whether you’re experiencing symptoms like repeated daytime fatigue, snoring, or waking up suddenly feeling short of breath, it’s probably time to stop ignoring the symptoms and face the possibility that you may be dealing with sleep apnea.

Having sleep apnea is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s a sleep disorder that impacts millions of Americans and can be controlled with treatment. But first, you have to figure out if you have sleep apnea, and if so, what type of sleep apnea. In most cases, the easiest way to diagnose sleep apnea is with a sleep test, and CPAPCentral.com wants you to be prepared for what you’ll encounter during that sleep test.

The Lab Sleep Test

As the name points out, this sleep test takes place in a sleep lab setting. These tests most often require an overnight stay in a sleep center, hospital, or even a hotel room. While sleeping away from home is rarely as comfortable and relaxing as a good night sleep in your own bed, most sleep centers take extra steps to ensure your comfort.  From hotel room like settings, to giving you time to read, watch TV, or relax and unwind as you fall asleep, sleep centers have your well-being in mind.  Even though few people sleep as well in the sleep lab environment as they do at home, almost everyone eventually falls asleep, and sleeps long enough for data to be collected and a diagnosis to be made.

For the sleep test, sensors will be attached to your body so that you can be fully monitored while you sleep. The sensors are painless and are attached to wires which allow you to move around as usual during your sleep. While you’re asleep, a team will monitor your heart rate, your breathing levels, your brain waves and any movement in your arms and legs, among other things. In the morning a sleep technologist will remove the sensors and members of the sleep team will review the information gathered during the sleep study. It can take several days to weeks for your sleep study to be fully evaluated. If the results show you stop breathing, or breathe abnormally throughout the night, you likely have sleep apnea.

The Home Sleep Test

Particularly when your doctor suspects you may have obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor may prescribe a home sleep test. With a home sleep test, you conduct a sleep test at home using home sleep testing equipment. In most cases you set the equipment up by yourself. You may pick the equipment up from your doctor’s office, or it may be delivered to your home. You will be given instructions on how to set up and use the equipment. A home sleep test allows you the opportunity to experience the comfort of your normal sleeping environment while monitoring your sleep habits, breathing, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels. Before you go to sleep you will attach sensors to your body, and possibly turn on the monitoring device. The device will record data as you sleep. When you wake up in the morning you will remove the sensors and return the testing equipment. As with a lab sleep test, members of the sleep team will review and analyze your data and a board certified sleep physician will contact you to discuss the results.

Whether you go to a sleep lab, or use a home sleep test, sleep tests are most likely to be accurate when you maintain your normal daily routine beforehand. This will also help you relax and prepare for as restful of a night sleep as possible. The exception to this rule is if you tend to take naps during the day, you should avoid napping on the day of your sleep test. You should also avoid caffeine after lunch on the day of your sleep test as well.

If your sleep test reveals that you have sleep apnea, CPAPCentral.com is here for you. We have the CPAP machines, CPAP masks and accessories you need to start sleeping more effectively each night.