Just because you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) doesn’t mean that the process of diagnosing your disorder and offering treatment should be uncomfortable. In fact, to help provide our Pearland, TX, residents with an accurate and precise diagnosis, we forgo attempting to make people rest in a lab setting in favor a comfortable and convenient at-home sleep test.
When Should You Schedule an Appointment?
You should be aware of the symptoms of sleep apnea. The disorder means you stop breathing several times a night as soft tissues in the back of the mouth and in the throat become too relaxed, collapsing and cutting off airflow briefly until the brain wakes you. Few people remember waking up, even though it happens several times and prevents them from reaching the deep, uninterrupted sleep needed to function during the day. Warning signs may include snoring, daytime drowsiness, moodiness, dry mouth, headaches, waking in the night gasping for air or choking, and trouble staying focused on tasks at work or school. If you begin to encounter one or more of these potential symptoms, then please contact our team today.
The Home Sleep Test
The home sleep test is a small device you bring home with you. The device will then measure and record your sleep activity, taking notice of your blood-oxygen levels, your breathing exertion, and any apneic episodes. When we look at the results the device provides, we can asses your sleep habits with precision and accuracy, identifying sleep apnea without the need for lab tests. Since we can also measure the severity of your OSA, we can choose the most appropriate treatment option.
What Next?
Following your diagnosis, our team will begin creating a treatment plan. We may suggest changes to your routine, such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule, limiting exercise and large meals before bed, cutting back on alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and keeping your bedroom dark and cool. We may suggest sleeping on your side instead of your back.
Prescribing an oral appliance is also beneficial. The device will look and fit much like a mouthguard, and provide an alternative to the cumbersome and loud CPAP machine. The oral appliance is worn at night and repositions the jaw to prevent the collapse of soft tissues. You then sleep without interruption and enjoy a better quality of life. If you have any questions about identifying and treating OSA, then please contact our team today.
Ready to Enjoy Better Sleep?
We want you to enjoy optimal quality of life, and to do so you should be well-rested. To learn more about finding the solution for your sleep apnea, call Houston Sleep Solutions in Spring, TX, at (281) 320-2000, or in Pearland, TX, at (832) 564-3508.
