Should I Get Sleep Tested?

Do you “wake up” still feeling tired and groggy? Do you have difficulty making it through the day without feeling exhausted?

If you have these or additional symptoms like headaches in the morning or difficulty concentrating, it’s even more important to consider the possibility of a sleep disorder. Coastal Virginia Sleep Solutions can work with you to coordinate sleep testing at home or in the lab to help you figure out what’s going on. 

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can often be a hard thing to diagnose. However, if you’re experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, there’s a good chance you may have sleep apnea or a sleep disorder. These include:

• Feeling tired after a full night’s sleep
• Depression and irritability
• Waking up with headaches
• Snoring
• Waking up throughout the night
• High blood pressure
• Falling asleep while driving
• Unexplained weight gain

A sleep test can often be life-saving if you have obstructive sleep apnea and will put you on the road to an improved quality of life.

Types of Sleep Testing

Dr. Harper provides both in-lab sleep testing and at-home sleep testing. One might be recommended over the other depending on the severity of your symptoms.

In-Lab Sleep Testing

In-lab sleep testing is conducted in a lab setting and monitored by medical professionals. While you’re sleeping, various metrics are monitored and recorded. These include eye and leg movements, blood oxygen level, brain waves, heart rate, and breathing. Through this, doctors can diagnose if you have a sleep disorder. 

If you’re currently using a CPAP machine and not getting the relief you need, this can also be used to see if the device needs adjusted or if another treatment plan would work better.

At-Home Sleep Testing

Sleep testing in the comfort of your own home is ideal for many people. The at-home kit will have specific instructions to follow, as well as tools for monitoring you while you sleep. However, not all patients are eligible. If you have certain medical conditions or the doctor is worried about your symptoms, you’ll probably have to use the in-lab option.

This is also only monitored by you. There are no doctors there to look at the metrics that are coming out. It’s important to take note of all of the detailed information you can so that you can relay it to the doctor. You’re the only way for them to know what’s going on.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Hampton Roads, Virginia

At Coastal Virginia Sleep Solutions, we provide both testing and treatment for sleep apnea. Once your particular case of sleep apnea is observed and diagnosed, we’ll set you up for the treatment that we think will fit best for you. Getting treatment for sleep apnea isn’t something you should wait on. Call us today or schedule an appointment online to get started on your sleep test!