Tired of Being Tired? Your Nashua Guide to Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
A sleep study can help explain why you snore, wake up feeling tired, or struggle to stay alert during the day. If your healthcare provider suspects sleep apnea, testing can show whether your breathing is interrupted while you sleep and help determine what care you may need.
At the Center for Dental Sleep Health, located within Levesque Dentistry in Nashua, NH, we understand that arranging a sleep study can feel unfamiliar, especially if you are unsure what the test involves or what happens afterward. Our team, including Drs. Tara Levesque-Vogel and Keith Levesque, can help you understand the connection between sleep apnea and dental sleep medicine and discuss the role oral appliance therapy may play after a diagnosis.
Whether you are considering a home sleep apnea test or have been referred for an overnight study at a sleep center, understanding the process can make the next step feel more manageable. We welcome patients throughout the Greater Nashua area, including Hudson, Merrimack, Milford, and Pelham, to navigate sleep apnea diagnosis. Call us at (603) 886-4300 to schedule your consultation with a sleep apnea dentist near you in Nashua, NH.
What Is a Sleep Study?
A sleep study is a medical test that records information about your body while you sleep. It helps clinicians evaluate possible sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which the upper airway repeatedly narrows or becomes blocked during sleep.
Depending on the type of test, measurements may include:
- Breathing patterns: Changes in airflow and breathing effort that may indicate pauses or reductions in breathing.
- Blood oxygen levels: Whether oxygen levels drop during the night.
- Heart rate: How your heart rate changes during sleep.
- Body position: Whether your sleeping position may affect breathing.
- Brain activity and sleep stages: Monitored during an in-lab study to help assess sleep patterns and other possible sleep disorders.
The exact measurements depend on the test being performed. A home sleep apnea test generally collects less information than an in-lab sleep study, so the appropriate option depends on your symptoms, medical history, and a qualified clinician’s assessment.
Home Sleep Test vs. In-Lab Sleep Study
Two common ways to evaluate suspected sleep apnea are a home sleep apnea test and an in-lab polysomnography study. Both can provide useful diagnostic information, but they’re not interchangeable for every patient.
Home Sleep Apnea Test
A home sleep apnea test (HSAT) lets eligible patients collect sleep-related measurements at home using a monitoring device. The equipment and setup instructions depend on the device prescribed.
A home test may be appropriate for an adult whose symptoms and medical history suggest obstructive sleep apnea and who doesn’t have complicating factors that call for more comprehensive testing.
Potential advantages include:
- Sleeping in your own bed.
- Avoiding an overnight stay at a sleep center.
- Using a device with instructions provided by the testing team.
- Having the results reviewed by a qualified healthcare professional.
A home test does have limitations. It may not capture all the information available from an in-lab study, and an unsuccessful or negative result doesn’t always rule out sleep apnea. If symptoms remain concerning, your clinician may recommend additional evaluation.
In-Lab Sleep Study
An in-lab sleep study, also called polysomnography (PSG), takes place overnight at a sleep center. A trained sleep technologist attaches sensors that record several types of information while you sleep.
Depending on the evaluation, these measurements may include brain activity, eye movements, muscle activity, breathing, blood oxygen levels, and heart rate. This broader set of information can help clinicians assess suspected sleep apnea and investigate other sleep-related concerns.
An in-lab study may be recommended when a home test is not suitable, when another sleep disorder is suspected, or when additional information is needed to clarify a diagnosis.
Which test is right for you? That depends on your individual circumstances. A qualified healthcare professional can determine whether home testing is appropriate or whether an in-lab study is the better choice.
How Does a Sleep Study Work? Step by Step
The details vary depending on the type of test, but the overall process follows a few main steps.
1. Discuss Your Symptoms and Health History
The process begins with an evaluation of your sleep concerns. Your healthcare provider may ask about snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, waking up gasping, daytime sleepiness, medical conditions, medications, and your usual sleep schedule.
If you have already completed a sleep evaluation, bring your results or relevant records to your appointment when possible.
This information helps the clinician determine whether sleep testing is appropriate and which type may provide the information needed.
2. Receive Instructions for Your Test
Before testing, you will receive instructions specific to your appointment and equipment. Follow those directions carefully, as preparation requirements can vary.
You may be asked to maintain your usual sleep schedule, review medication instructions with your provider, and avoid anything the testing team identifies as potentially affecting the results.
Do not stop or change prescribed medication on your own. If you have questions about medication, caffeine, alcohol, hair products, or other preparation details, ask the team arranging your study.
3. Set Up the Equipment
For a home sleep apnea test, you will receive a monitoring device and instructions explaining how to position the sensors and start the recording. Depending on the device, sensors may measure airflow, breathing effort, oxygen levels, or heart rate.
For an in-lab study, a technologist will attach the necessary sensors before you go to sleep. These sensors are designed to record information rather than interfere with your breathing. The technologist can explain the setup and answer questions before the study begins.
Although the equipment may look unfamiliar, you do not need to understand the technology to complete the test. Your role is to follow the instructions and sleep as normally as you can.
4. Sleep While the Device Records Information
During a home test, you sleep in your usual environment while the device collects data overnight.
During an in-lab study, the equipment records measurements while you sleep at the sleep center. The technologist monitors the study and can help if equipment needs attention.
You do not need to have a perfect night’s sleep for the study to be useful. However, if the recording does not provide enough information, your clinician may recommend repeating the test or using a different testing method.
5. Have Your Results Reviewed
After the study, the collected information is processed and reviewed by the appropriate healthcare professional. The results may indicate whether sleep apnea is present, how severe it is, and whether further evaluation is needed.
The time required to receive results varies by testing provider and circumstances. Ask the team arranging your study when you should expect an update and how the findings will be discussed with you.
How to Prepare for a Sleep Study
Following the testing team’s instructions is the best way to prepare. These general tips can also help you feel more comfortable.
- Keep your usual sleep routine when instructed. Do not deliberately stay awake longer or change your schedule unless your provider tells you to.
- Review your medications. Ask whether any adjustments are needed; never make changes without medical guidance.
- Ask about caffeine and alcohol. Follow the specific instructions you receive rather than assuming the same restrictions apply to every test.
- Wear comfortable clothing. For an in-lab study, ask the sleep center what sleepwear and personal items to bring.
- Understand how to use your home device. Review the setup instructions before bedtime and ask questions if anything is unclear.
- Plan how you will receive your results. Make sure you know who will review the findings and what follow-up is expected.
If you’re nervous about sleeping somewhere unfamiliar or using monitoring equipment, tell your healthcare provider. Knowing what to expect can help make the experience less stressful.
What Do Sleep Study Results Mean?
Your sleep study report may include several measurements, but the meaning depends on the type of test and your overall clinical picture.
One commonly reported measurement is the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), which reflects the average number of apneas and hypopneas recorded per hour of sleep during an in-lab study. Home testing may use a related respiratory event index, depending on the device and reporting method.
For adults, an AHI is commonly categorized as follows:
- Below 5 events per hour: Below the usual threshold for obstructive sleep apnea.
- 5–14 events per hour: Mild sleep apnea range.
- 15–29 events per hour: Moderate sleep apnea range.
- 30 or more events per hour: Severe sleep apnea range.
These categories are only one part of interpreting a study. Clinicians also consider symptoms, oxygen measurements, medical history, the type and quality of the test, and other relevant findings.
A result that doesn’t show sleep apnea doesn’t necessarily explain ongoing fatigue or other symptoms. If you continue to have concerns despite a negative or inconclusive home test, discuss the findings with your healthcare provider. Further testing may be appropriate.
What Happens After a Sleep Study?
The next step depends on the results and your health needs. If testing confirms obstructive sleep apnea, your healthcare provider can explain the diagnosis and discuss suitable treatment options.
Treatment may include positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, a custom oral appliance, or other approaches depending on the diagnosis and individual circumstances. Some patients need additional evaluation before a treatment plan can be selected.
At the Center for Dental Sleep Health, we focus on dental sleep medicine and custom oral appliance therapy. Drs. Tara Levesque-Vogel and Keith Levesque consider each patient’s needs when discussing whether an oral appliance may be appropriate. Oral appliances are not suitable for everyone, and a dental evaluation alone doesn’t replace the medical diagnosis of sleep apnea.
If you already have a diagnosis and want to understand your options, explore our sleep apnea treatment options. If you have difficulty tolerating CPAP, you can also read about CPAP alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sleep normally during a sleep study if I have trouble falling asleep?
You do not need to sleep perfectly for a study to provide useful information. If you sleep very little or the recording is incomplete, however, your clinician may decide that additional testing is needed.
What happens if my home sleep test does not show sleep apnea?
A negative home test does not always rule out obstructive sleep apnea, especially when symptoms and clinical concerns remain. Your healthcare provider may recommend an in-lab study or another evaluation based on your situation.
Can a sleep study tell me how severe my sleep apnea is?
A sleep study can help determine the severity of obstructive sleep apnea by measuring breathing events and other relevant findings. The results should be interpreted by a qualified clinician alongside your symptoms and health history.
Do I need a doctor's referral to get a sleep study?
Requirements vary depending on the testing provider, the type of test, and your insurance plan. Contact the provider arranging the test to confirm whether you need a referral or an initial evaluation.
Can a smartwatch diagnose sleep apnea?
Consumer wearables can provide information about sleep patterns or certain physiological measurements, but they do not replace a clinically appropriate sleep study. If you have symptoms that concern you, discuss them with a healthcare professional rather than relying on a wearable alone.
Have Questions About Sleep Apnea Testing? Talk to Us!
If you’re concerned about snoring, disrupted sleep, or possible sleep apnea, you don’t have to figure out the next step alone. The team at the Center for Dental Sleep Health can help you understand how sleep apnea relates to dental sleep medicine and discuss whether an oral appliance evaluation may be appropriate for your needs.
Call (603) 886-4300 or contact our team to learn more. We welcome questions from patients in Nashua and nearby communities, including Hudson, Merrimack, and Milford.