Take Control of Your Health with a Sleep Apnea Test in Estero, FL
Obstructive sleep apnea is a problem that more and more Americans are facing as they get older. If you have been diagnosed with it, it’s vital to know that your condition might change over time, so you should check it regularly. Even if you don’t have it now, you might develop it as you age. The great news is that technology for testing sleep apnea is getting better. With a home sleep test, you can now check your sleep in your own home, and residents of Estero, FL, can access sleep apnea testing services locally to ensure they are monitoring their condition effectively.
Why You Should Get Tested for Sleep Apnea in Estero, FL
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your airway closes up during sleep and stops your breathing for a few seconds. This might happen because of enlarged tonsils, a thick tongue, or extra fat in the neck area. Lung problems like COPD and asthma can also make you more likely to get sleep apnea. Individuals in Estero, FL, who are concerned about these symptoms may consider a sleep apnea test to determine their condition.
Even healthy people with no weight or breathing issues can end up with sleep apnea as they get older because the muscles that keep the airway open start to weaken. Studies show that almost half of people over 65 have sleep apnea. This means you must check your sleep health as you age and adjust any treatments you already use. For example, you might need to get your oral appliance re-configured (adjusted) because of changes in your body weight or physical structure; if you use a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, you may need to increase the air pressure. The best way to check how well these adjustments are working is with a new sleep test.
Although there is no strict guideline regarding how often adults or seniors should undergo a sleep apnea test, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends taking a test if:
- You are showing symptoms of sleep apnea, such as loud snoring, loud breathing, breathing through the mouth, episodes of no breathing, excessive daytime sleepiness, headache, dry mouth and throat, insomnia, and depression.
- You have risk factors like large neck circumference, family history of sleep apnea, smaller jaw, larger tongue, high or narrow arched palate, deviated septum, nasal polyps, chronic nasal congestion, and excessive overbite.
- You are already being treated for sleep apnea, but your symptoms persist, worsen, or your health goes through a major change.
Testing is critical for confirming sleep apnea and identifying it early on so you do not have to pay the price of more serious health complications later on. Undergoing a sleep apnea test in Estero, FL can be a proactive step towards maintaining your health.
Researchers have found that people with severe sleep apnea have a three times higher risk of dying from any cause compared to those without any sleep disorders. The study tracked 1,522 adults over 18 years who were not sleep apnea patients initially; they were regular people from the community aged between 30 and 60. By the end of the observation period, 19% of people with severe apnea had died, compared to about 4% of people without sleep apnea.
Can I Diagnose Sleep Apnea at Home?
Why risk your health when you can very easily track your sleep health from your own bed? At Sleep Treatment Direct, we help patients in Estero, FL get tested for sleep apnea and find relief from CPAP-alternative treatments if confirmed. If you find the CPAP machine too clunky or cannot tolerate the air pressure, our sleep disorders center can create a custom oral appliance or schedule you for a quick laser procedure to treat the airway obstruction causing your snoring and/or sleep apnea.
A home sleep apnea test (HST) is a convenient option for anyone who suspects they might have sleep apnea, including those in Estero, FL considering sleep apnea testing. The test equipment collects vital information about your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing effort while you sleep. This data helps sleep specialists determine whether you have sleep apnea and how serious it is (i.e., how high your AHI Index is).
The home testing equipment comes with the following:
- A small nasal cannula is used to measure airflow.
- A chest belt to measure respiratory effort.
- A finger clip to monitor your oxygen levels and heart rate.
- A portable monitor that records the information.
Begin Your Journey to Better Sleep with a Sleep Apnea Test in Estero, FL
You can fill out this free sleep apnea screener on our website to schedule a free 15-minute consultation over the phone. Our team will discuss your symptoms and concerns and then give you a prescription for a home sleep test. If you want your insurance to cover the cost of the test, you will need a prescription. Once you have it, you will get the small, portable test equipment delivered right to your doorstep.
Then, all you need to do is follow the instructions provided to set up and use the equipment for your sleep apnea test in Estero, Florida. We will review the results with you to discuss whether a diagnosis of sleep apnea is confirmed and what treatment options are available if needed.
Note: Not everyone is a candidate for a home-based sleep study. If you have other complex medical conditions, a high likelihood of severe obstructive sleep apnea, or we think it could be a case of central sleep apnea. In that case, you will need to undergo an in-lab sleep study at a hospital or sleep clinic.
Who Should I Talk to if I Suspect I Have Sleep Apnea?
When you notice something wrong with your health, it’s commonly advised to go to your primary care physician (PCP). Unfortunately, a large percentage of sleep apnea cases go undiagnosed in primary care settings. Nearly 80% to 90% of patients never find out that they have varying degrees of sleep apnea.
This could be because some of the common symptoms of this sleep disorder are usually mistaken for stress-related fatigue or headaches. Without someone observing the patient stopping breathing during their sleep, they have no reason to think something is disrupting their sleep. Also, in most primary care visits, doctors spend around 10 minutes or less with each patient. This isn’t enough time for them to look deeply into your sleep patterns unless it is their immediate concern.
Get Tested for Sleep Apnea and Find Relief in San Carlos Park, FL
Your other option is to attend a practice specifically focused on sleep apnea or other sleep-breathing-related disorders. Here at Sleep Treatment Direct, this is all we do. Since dentists are devoted to sleep medicine only, we know precisely what to look out for to determine whether sleep apnea is the root of your problems. If you’re in San Carlos Park, Florida and suspect you might have obstructive sleep apnea, our sleep disorders center is equipped to provide comprehensive sleep apnea testing.
In addition to taking the time to talk about your symptoms, we also conduct a thorough dental exam to look for the following oral and craniofacial signs:
- Damaged, worn teeth (from teeth grinding or bruxism)
- A tongue with scalloped edges (indentations on the side of the tongue)
- A tongue that looks too big for the mouth
- A visibly slim airway or a small-looking throat
- A high or vaulted palate
- Enlarged tonsils (more common in children)
- Redness or swelling in the throat (caused by chronic snoring)
Early Signs of Sleep Disorders with a Sleep Study in San Carlos Park, FL
These signs are subtle enough that medical providers do not always notice them unless they are experienced in dental sleep medicine. Instead of waiting weeks for an appointment with your primary provider, you can contact us today to start the process of obtaining a home sleep study, including a sleep apnea test in San Carlos Park, FL.
Peaceful Sleep Should Not Be Complicated
Do you miss the days when you used to wake up feeling refreshed and energized? That feeling of lethargy and tiredness could be linked to your sleep. We are on a mission to help our patients in Estero, FL become more aware of their sleep health and learn that there is more to sleep apnea treatment than a CPAP machine, including options like a sleep apnea test. Get in touch with us to learn more.