First, you need to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or a sleep specialist, who will ask you about your symptoms and pre-screen you for obstructive sleep apnea. Then, based on their assessment, they can order the prescription for you and explain how to use the testing kit.
Does a doctor need to diagnose sleep apnea?
If you have the symptoms of sleep apnea, it’s important to seek diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Katherine S. Phillips is board-certified by the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and works closely with sleep medicine physicians and other medical specialists to treat OSA.
Can I get checked for sleep apnea?
If a GP thinks you might have sleep apnoea, they may refer you to a specialist sleep clinic for tests. At the clinic, you may be given devices that check things like your breathing and heartbeat while you sleep. You’ll be asked to wear these overnight so doctors can check for signs of sleep apnoea.
Do you need a sleep study to be diagnosed with sleep apnea?
A sleep study is the only sure way to find out if you have sleep apnea. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, including being very tired and sleepy during the day, your doctor will probably suggest a polysomnography sleep study.
How do you go about getting a sleep apnea test Related Questions
What are 3 symptoms of sleep apnea?
Loud snoring. Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person. Gasping for air during sleep. Awakening with a dry mouth. Morning headache. Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomnia. Excessive daytime sleepiness, known as hypersomnia.
How many hours of sleep do you need for sleep apnea test?
You may feel uncomfortable because of the sensors and other measuring devices attached to your body. However, nearly everyone eventually falls asleep during a sleep study. Even if you get less sleep than you normally do at home, a sleep study only requires two hours of sleep.
Will sleep apnea go away with weight loss?
Q: Can weight loss cure sleep apnea? A: The short answer is no. While there are several sleep apnea treatment options available, there is no cure. However, weight loss may help reduce sleep apnea symptoms for some people, but only if you have obstructive sleep apnea.
Who should I see if I think I have sleep apnea?
What doctor should I see for my sleep apnea? If you suspect you may have symptoms of sleep apnea, it’s best to see a doctor who’s a sleep specialist. This type of doctor is board-certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine after receiving specific training and passing an exam.
What happens if sleep apnea goes undiagnosed?
Sleep apnea, particularly when the disorder goes undiagnosed or untreated, has been linked to a wide-array of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even glaucoma, and it may also increase your risk of death.
How do you fix sleep apnea without a CPAP machine?
Oral Appliances. Just as there are dental professionals who specialize in orthodontics or dental implants, there are also those who can help with sleep apnea. Oral Surgery. In some cases, genetics can be the cause of sleep apnea. Weight Loss. Positional Therapy. Inspire Therapy.
What are signs you need a sleep study?
You may need this test if you have symptoms of a sleep disorder, such as: Loud snoring during sleep. Waking up from sleep and gasping for breath. Trouble falling and/or staying asleep.
What qualifies for sleep study?
A doctor can prescribe a sleep study depending on a person’s symptoms and overall health. Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing sleep issues or daytime symptoms such as fatigue, drowsiness, depression, or difficulty concentrating. Patients with obesity with sleep issues should be screened for sleep apnea.
What is the life expectancy of someone with sleep apnea?
Sleep Apnea FAQs The life expectancy of a patient with sleep apnea who is under 50 years old is between 8 and 18 years. If patients receive the treatment they are likely to live longer, with fewer excess health complications than those who do not receive treatment.
What is the first stage of sleep apnea?
The first stage of sleep apnea is benign snoring. Benign snoring is often harmless, but it can be an indication that sleep apnea will develop in the future. Benign snoring should be monitored, making sure the condition does not become consistent, very loud, or start disrupting sleep.
What does sleep apnea fatigue feel like?
More than usual daytime sleepiness. Waking up with a dry throat or headache. Waking up often during the night. Difficulty concentrating or mood changes during the day.
How do you fix sleep apnea naturally?
Maintain a healthy weight. Doctors commonly recommend people with sleep apnea to lose weight. Try yoga. Regular exercise can increase your energy level, strengthen your heart, and improve sleep apnea. Alter your sleep position. Use a humidifier. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Use oral appliances.
Do they watch you sleep during a sleep study?
‚ÄúYou arrive around 9 o’clock at night, meet with a technician and they hook you up with a whole lot of electrodes on your scalp, chin, chest and legs, and they watch you while you sleep,‚Äù says sleep medicine physician Aris Iatridis, M.D. Most patients are discharged early the next morning.
What not to do during sleep apnea test?
DON’T WEAR TOUPEES, WIGS OR HAIR WEAVES Some of the electrodes attached during your sleep study will be attached directly to your scalp. DON’T WEAR NAIL POLISH, USE LOTIONS, OILS, SPRAYS, OR HAIR CARE PRODUCTS. DON’T NAP THE DAY OF THE STUDY.
What to expect at a sleep study for sleep apnea?
You will be given a private sleeping room with a private bathroom and shower for the night of the sleep study. You will have a television in your room which, you can use prior to the start of the sleep study. Although the study is inside the hospital, you will not be sleeping in a regular hospital room.
Can losing 20 pounds help sleep apnea?
Can losing 20 pounds help sleep apnea? For people with overweight and obesity, losing weight can help improve sleep apnea‚Äîthough it’s rare for weight loss alone to cure the condition. In many cases, losing twenty pounds will benefit your sleep apnea if you have overweight or obesity.