If you’re feeling tired during the day, snoring at night, or waking up without feeling rested, your sleep may not be as healthy as you think. For many people, a home sleep study is the first step toward understanding what’s happening during the night.
At Sleep Wellness Center, home sleep studies offer a convenient, accurate way to evaluate sleep-related breathing issues without spending the night in a lab. Here’s what to know about how they work, who they’re for, and when they may be recommended.
What is a Home Sleep Study?
A home sleep study is a medical test that monitors your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and airflow while you sleep in your own bed. Unlike in-lab sleep studies, this test is completed at home using a small, portable device.
Home sleep studies are most commonly used to evaluate sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to fatigue, heart problems, high blood pressure, and other long-term concerns.
How a Home Sleep Study Works
The process is designed to be simple and comfortable:
- Your provider sends a referral to Sleep Wellness Center
- Our team provides the home sleep testing equipment
- You wear the device for one night while you sleep at home
- The equipment records key sleep and breathing data
- A sleep specialist reviews the results
Most people find the setup easy to use, and detailed instructions are provided so you feel confident before bedtime.
What Does a Home Sleep Study Measure?
A home sleep study focuses on breathing-related sleep issues. Depending on the device, it may track:
- Breathing patterns and airflow
- Oxygen levels throughout the night
- Heart rate
- Respiratory effort
- Snoring activity
This information helps determine whether sleep apnea or another breathing-related sleep disorder may be present.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Home Sleep Study?
Home sleep studies are often recommended for adults who have symptoms of sleep apnea, such as:
- Loud or chronic snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Waking up gasping or choking
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
Your provider will help determine whether a home sleep study or an in-lab study is the right option based on your symptoms, medical history, and overall sleep concerns.
Home Sleep Study vs. In-Lab Sleep Study
Both types of sleep studies provide valuable information, but they serve different purposes.
A home sleep study offers:
- Convenience and comfort
- Testing in your natural sleep environment
- Fewer sensors and equipment
- A focus on diagnosing sleep apnea
An in-lab sleep study may be recommended when:
- More complex sleep disorders are suspected
- Detailed brain wave and sleep stage data is needed
- Previous testing was inconclusive
At Sleep Wellness Center, we help guide patients toward the option that best fits their needs.
What Happens After a Home Sleep Study?
Once your sleep data is reviewed, your provider will discuss the results with you. If sleep apnea or another condition is identified, the next step is creating a treatment plan tailored to you. This may include CPAP therapy, oral appliance therapy, lifestyle or sleep habit adjustments, ongoing monitoring and support.
Our team stays involved throughout the process to make sure treatment is comfortable, effective, and sustainable.
Start with Expert Sleep Guidance
If you’re wondering what a home sleep study is and whether it could help you feel more rested, Sleep Wellness Center is here to help. The first step is a consultation with Dr. Mathison or another sleep specialist of your choice. If a home sleep study is recommended, your provider can send a referral directly to Sleep Wellness Center. Contact our team with any questions.
From there, our team will walk you through the testing process, answer your questions, and support you every step of the way. Better sleep starts with understanding what’s happening at night and help is closer than you think.