Sleep Apnea? Experience the Convenience of a Home Sleep Test
Davis County Hospital & Clinics is committed to building better, healthier lives for residents of southeast Iowa. That’s why our Sleep Center offers patients two options to test for sleep apnea — a home sleep study and a traditional on-site study.
The in-home sleep test is an economical and convenient way for patients to complete a sleep study — without traveling for an appointment and without an overnight stay in a sleep lab.
In order to diagnose sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, a sleep specialist may recommend that a patient undergo a sleep study. This is typically done in a sleep clinic, requiring the patient to spend the night in the lab while equipment records his/her physiological data.
With our home sleep test, patients in and around Bloomfield, Iowa, have a cost-effective, easy-to-use and reliable alternative that works in the comfort of their own home. This device is proven for the home diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
The in-home study has minimal equipment and measures the following biologic parameters:
- Nasal and Oral Airflow – measured by a thin wire that is taped by the nose and mouth. Some sensors look like an oxygen cannula.
- Respiratory Effort – measured by elastic belt bands that are placed across the chest and abdomen.
- Oximeter Finger Probe – a small clip-like device that attaches to the fingertip and emits a red light that assists in the evaluation of oxygen levels in the blood while sleeping.
Ask your sleep apnea doctor today about having a home sleep study with the Davis County Hospital & Clinics Sleep Center.
On-Site Sleep Study Option
The Sleep Center — conveniently located within Davis County Hospital — provides professional sleep studies conducted during a pleasant overnight stay at the hospital’s hotel-like, state-of-the-art center, in partnership with SomniTech.
Each of the center’s suites is comfortably designed with a queen-size bed, recliner, TV/DVD with cable, individual temperature control, free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom with shower.
Why a Sleep Specialist May Recommend a Study
Sleep deprivation is a significant health and safety problem that affects almost everyone. About 70 million people in the United States have a sleep problem. Snoring is just one indication of a sleep disorder. There are other signs that may indicate a serious health problem.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, the effects of sleep loss on work performance may be costing U.S. employers some $150 billion in healthcare costs, lost work time, and loss of productivity.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. These episodes usually last 10 seconds or more and occur repeatedly throughout the night.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain and the rest of the body may not get enough oxygen.
Types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – The most common type of apnea, it is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
- Central Sleep Apnea – Unlike OSA, the airway is not blocked, but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center.
Untreated sleep apnea can contribute to a number of health problems including:
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart failure, irregular heartbeats and heart attacks
- Depression
- Worsening of ADHD
- Headaches
In addition, it may be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities, such as work and school, and could be a contributing factor in motor vehicle crashes.
Is sleep apnea genetic?
About 40% of OSA cases are related to genetics, which means it can be hereditary. Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children.
Risk factors for sleep apnea:
- Being male
- Being overweight
- Being over age 40
- Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women)
- Having large tonsils, a large tongue or a small jaw bone
- A family history of sleep apnea
- Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD
- A deviated septum, allergies or sinus problems
If you are experiencing sleep problems, talk to one of our primary care providers about having a Sleep Center study performed locally right here in Bloomfield. A referral is required.