Sleep testing is an essential diagnostic procedure that can help physicians to understand and diagnose sleeping conditions in their patients. If you’ve suffered from symptoms of a sleeping disorder, then your doctor may recommend home sleep testing to find out exactly what kind of disorder you have, allowing them to work out the best course of treatment.

Whether it's sleeping apnea or any other disorder that is causing your sleeping problems, there is a wide range of important information that can be taken from an at home sleep study.

Key Data Gathered During an In-Home Sleep Study

An in-home study is the simplest type of sleep study, and also the most convenient. When a doctor suspects a condition like sleep apnea, a home based study is usually the best way forward and will have the least impact on your normal routine.

There are three main data sets that are collected during this type of study, usually by using sensors on a fingertip device, which is then connected to a wrist-worn monitoring unit. With products from leading innovators like the team here at VirtuOx, a home oxygen test and sleep study require little effort, and there’s no more discomfort than you would experience while wearing a large wristwatch to bed.

Home sleep devices measure oxygen saturation levels (SpO2), which is a reference of how much oxygen is being carried in your blood. Healthy levels are above 90%, and low SpO2 levels could be an indicator of breathing problems or other problems that are occurring during your sleep.

Devices will also measure your pulse rate, another important indicator of the quality of sleep that you’re having, and pulse rate could also indicate any disturbances during your normal sleeping hours. Respiratory rate and effort can also be measured by some devices, depending on what has been recommended to you by a physician. For patients that may be suffering from sleep apnea, collecting data on respiratory effort can be a strong indicator of whether apneas (gaps in breathing) are present during sleep.

Some devices will also track movement and body position throughout sleep, and units also track the time and duration of sleep.

Can This Data Be Used to Self-Diagnose?

Although an at home sleep study device can provide you with convenience when a study is needed, the results are not intended to be interpreted or diagnosed by you, the patient. A qualified medical professional who specializes in sleeping disorders will have the necessary knowledge to take the results and provide you with a diagnosis that helps you to understand and deal with any disorder that you may have.

With the devices from VirtuOx, the information can be downloaded through a USB interface, so sometimes you won’t even need to visit a doctor right away for them to start looking at your results. This can be helpful when a sleeping test is being conducted over a number of days, and it cuts down the time that you need to spend visiting with your physician.

What Symptoms Suggest You Might Need a Sleep Study?

Your doctor will recommend the sleeping test based on symptoms that you describe. Although the symptoms can vary and are not the same for all patients, the following are some of the most common that you should look out for.

• Uncharacteristic sleepiness or fatigue.
• Headaches after sleeping.
• Changes in sex drive.
• Restlessness during sleep.
• Chronic or unusually loud or disturbing snoring.
• Struggling for breath when waking suddenly.
• Changes in cognitive function, including irritability, forgetfulness, and fogginess during the day.

Keep in mind that you might not notice the symptoms, and the doctor may determine some of these from other symptoms or experiences that you describe. In the case of snoring, you can talk to people in your home, to determine whether you have been snoring loudly or abruptly during your sleep. In cases of sleep apnea, your partner may have observed pauses in your breathing during sleep, followed by snorting and catching your breath.

Why Quality Devices Matter When It Comes to Home Sleep Studies

A sleep study needs to be highly accurate and based on reliable data. The quality of the devices that are used will have a significant impact on what you and your doctor can learn from your at home sleep study.

At VirtuOx, we produce devices that are made to the highest quality standards, using industry-leading sensors and embedded microchip designs. Our medical devices are FDA approved and are preferred by leading physicians all across the United States. Our systems are not just used for one-off studies but can be used to monitor your condition and the efficacy of any treatment that your doctor prescribes.

Sleeping disorders can become debilitating, and may even lead to life-threatening diseases. Always see your doctor when you experience symptoms of a sleeping disorder, and rely on quality medical devices for any home sleep study.

VirtuOx is the leader in home sleep tests and pulse oximetry.