There is little doubt that sleep apnea testing is one of the most important things that you can do for yourself, and with good reason. We're going to go over a few of the facts about a sleep apnea test at home and what it can do for you, starting with the potential health risks of the condition.
The Potential Health Risks of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is more than just a snoring problem, though admittedly that's one of the issues that stem from it. In fact, sleep apnea testing is critical because there could potentially be a problem in which the individual completely stops breathing at night, and in doing so, puts themselves at a serious health risk. Normally this would wake the person up but not in every single case. That being said, there is a chance that sleep apnea could, in fact, result in death in the event that the individual is unable to awaken themselves from sleep.
In addition to the potential for death, you also have the potential for leading a rather uncomfortable existence. For example, you could find yourself dozing off during the day, you might have a short temper, and you will almost certainly lose your ability to concentrate. It's not a good situation but with proper treatment, it can be prevented. This is exactly why sleep apnea testing is crucial, but it doesn't end there.
Getting the Right Machine Settings
There is a common misconception that an individual could simply buy a CPAP machine from someone else and take care of all their problems. While it might be nice to think that, it's just not the case. Yes, you could buy a CPAP machine but it won't be set to the correct pressure unless it is an APAP machine which provides a variable pressure setting depending on the user. If you are in fact using a standard CPAP however, you should be tested via a home sleep apnea test and a recommendation will be made to your health supply company. The pressure will be set upon obtaining the equipment however you do have the option to temporarily ramp it down if you find that it is too much and that you are having trouble sleeping. This, however, is a temporary fix and the air will ramp back up after a set period of time. Presumably, this ramp will occur after you have gone to sleep.
Continued Support is Key
There is more to a proper testing than a single diagnosis. Sleep apnea is a condition that will be with you for the rest of your life and with that being the case you need to make sure that you have continued support. So, what do we mean by continued support exactly? Primarily we are talking about your need to continually speak with your physician and determine whether or not your CPAP machine is getting the job done. You may need to increase your pressure or you might need to decrease it. Most importantly, your physician will help to make sure that you are perfectly healthy. It's a condition that can be managed but only with expert care.
As you can see, taking a sleep apnea test at home is a great start and it will help to determine whether or not you need to push forward and seek further treatment. An initial at home study will not only determine the status of your sleep apnea, it will also give you the chance to have the testing performed at home, giving you plenty of time to do other things throughout the day without worrying about scheduling a lab-based study. Bottom line: relief from your sleep apnea is just a test away.
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