At-home sleep studies are an alternative to sleep studies conducted in a hospital or sleep laboratory. Your doctor may suggest an at-home sleep study if they think it is very likely that you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Some common OSA symptoms, signs, and risk factors include, but are not limited to:
- Snoring on the majority of nights (loudness of snoring isn't as important as regularity of snoring), feeling unrefreshed after a full night's sleep,
- Frequent awakenings during the night, and excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue.
- Other, more subtle signs that may indicate OSA include extremely restless sleep and morning headaches.
Other factors that may also influence sleep apnea risk include, but are not limited to: age, sex, race/ethnicity, family history, and lifestyle habits.
In 2007, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine issued a clinical guideline declaring that home sleep apnea tests may be used as an alternative to in-lab polysomnography for the diagnosis of OSA in certain people who show signs of moderate to severe OSA.
It is advisable that patients with certain medical conditions — such as advanced heart failure and lung disorders, as well as people who are at risk for sleep disorders due to leg movements — have an in-lab study.
Click here to learn how a home sleep study works and whether it's right for you.
Consult your health care provider or a sleep specialist if you need advice on what type of sleep study may be best for your situation.