At-home sleep apnea tests sanctioned by U.S. sleep authority
Last Updated: Friday, December 14, 2007 | 4:28 PM ET
CBC News
Portable tests to diagnose sleep apnea have been approved for home use by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
"Portable monitoring may be used as an alternative to polysomnography (a diagnostic sleep test) for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with a high pretest probability of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea," read the guidelines.
Most sleep apnea tests take place in a sleep clinic under the careful watch of a licensed medical practitioner.
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which a person stops breathing repeatedly while asleep. These gaps in breathing or "apneas" usually last 10 to 30 seconds and can occur many times throughout the night, according to the Canadian Lung Association. Untreated, the condition can lead to serious health problems, such as an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, accidents, and premature death.
The home tests are portable devices the wearer sleeps in. They are composed of a recording device, sensors, belts and other cables. A sleep specialist reviews the data gathered overnight and makes a diagnosis and develops a treatment plan.
The tests are recommended for adults aged 18 to 65 who have been assessed by a certified sleep practitioner who has deemed them at risk of the condition. People who have not had a medical practitioner recommend such a test should not take one, according to the guidelines.
Some telltale signs of sleep apnea include frequent snoring and fatigue during the day. Obesity also heightens one's risk of developing the condition.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is a professional society that is dedicated exclusively to the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine.
With these home tests, hopefully they do readings over more than just one night; giving the patient time to adjust to the equipment and relax in their own bed.
