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How to choose
the right sleep test?
We often receive customer inquires about the sleep test services. The most common question is “What is the difference between the Home Sleep Test (HST) and the Polysomnography (PSG)?”.
In recent years, more and more people choose home sleep test to diagnose sleep apnea. The reason may be that the home sleep test is convenient and flexible. You can freely choose the test date, and you can do it at home! Of course, cost effective is also a major factor. HST mainly records your breathing, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SaO2), Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI), and other physiological data to diagnose whether you have sleep apnea. However, due to the lack of detailed EEG data, it is difficult to provide accurate sleep data, such as the ratio of light sleep and deep sleep. It is also unable to diagnose other sleep disorders, such as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, etc. Therefore, if you suspect that you are suffering from the above sleep disorders at the same time, you need to take a detailed PSG.
PSG records more data than HST, so you need to connect more sensors, such as the electrode pads which used to monitor brain waves and eye movements during sleep. As the electrode pads need to be attached to the precise position, a technician is generally required to assist in wearing them. Medical technology changes rapidly, nowadays, some PSG testing devices can also be worn by the testers themselves, just like HST.
Do I need a sleep test?
If your daily schedule is stable, you have a good sleep environment (dry, quiet & dark), and have not overeating or taken drugs and stimulant food (e.g. caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, etc.) before bed, but you are still dissatisfied with your sleep quality, even suspect that you have sleep problems (e.g. insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, etc.), it may be time to consider a sleep test.
I have been using CPAP for many years, do I need to have a repeat sleep test?
If you have recently undergone sleep apnea surgery, have successfully lost weight, or feel good about yourself, including more energetic and less snoring. You may think that sleep apnea has been cured, and even decide to stop using CPAP. We recommend that you should have a repeat sleep test to obtain your latest sleep data before reorganized your sleep apnea treatment plan, and consult your doctor for professional medical advice.
