What Is an At-Home Sleep Test?
An at-home sleep test uses a small, user-friendly device to monitor you while you sleep. It provides data that a sleep apnea expert can analyze to determine whether you have OSA or if you should undergo further evaluation for other types of sleep disorders.
An at-home sleep test may record data about:
- Your heart rate
- Your blood oxygen levels (with low oxygen levels being a likely sign of breathing interruptions)
- Your blood pressure (which tends to rise in patients with sleep apnea)
- Your limb movements (in other words, whether you are moving around at night)
- Your breathing effort (which should give us an indication of whether your breathing is being interrupted.
How Does the SleepImage Ring Home Sleep Study Work?
After we determine that you are a suitable candidate for an at-home sleep test, we will let you borrow the necessary monitoring equipment. You will also receive simple, easy-to-understand instructions to help you set everything up correctly. The SleepImage Ring device is designed for simplicity. Unlike other at-home sleep tests, it does not involve the use of a nasal canula or belt that you must wear around your chest. Rather, it is worn like a simple ring! It should be placed around your thumb or forefinger. I might seem basic, but it can collect a lot of data about your heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. That data gets send to a cloud-based application, where it is securely stored.
All you have to do is wear the SleepImage Ring for a night and then return it to us the next business day. After the data has been analyzed, we will get in touch with you to let you know what your next steps are.
Are You a Good Candidate for a SleepImage Ring Home Sleep Study?
SleepImage Ring is a no-risk diagnostic service that can be used by almost anyone who is experiencing symptoms like snoring, excessive tiredness, and other signs of OSA. Keep in mind, though, that it is exclusively designed to help provide a sleep apnea diagnosis. If you suspect that you have other sleep disorders, you might need to undergo an in-lab sleep test for a more thorough evaluation of your condition.
The Benefits of At-Home Sleep Apnea Testing
Some benefits of at-home sleep apnea testing include:
- A more comfortable process. You will be in your own bed and in the privacy of your own home.
- Lower cost. Prices can vary depending on several factors, but generally speaking, at-home sleep testing is more affordable than laboratory sleep testing.
- Some people live far away from the closest sleep lab. An at-home test can help you save time and fuel!
- At-home testing can be a reliable way to find out whether you have OSA.