Sleep Diagnostic Services in Bowie, MD
Do you frequently wake up feeling exhausted after eight hours of sleep or wake frequently during the night? If so, you may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea significantly strains your heart and lungs, leading to cardiovascular problems like COPD, asthma, and heart disease. Getting a diagnosis and treatment for this disorder can help you sleep better and prevent future health complications.
If you’re ready to treat your sleep apnea, enjoy better sleep hygiene, and protect your cardiovascular system, USA Sleep Diagnostic Center is here to help. We provide home sleep studies for Bowie, MD, residents and those in the surrounding area. We’ll help you conduct the study, analyze the results, and find an effective treatment.
How A Home Sleep Study Works
Home sleep studies are tests conducted from the comfort of your bed. Before going to sleep, patients put on a device that measures breathing rate and heart rate. Sleep apnea can be deadly, so it’s important to make an appointment immediately if you:
- Have trouble breathing during sleep
- Frequently wake up short of breath
- Snore, interrupted by up to a minute of not breathing
Schedule your free consultation today if you’d like to learn more about USA Sleep Diagnostics and how we can help you get a better night’s rest.
Why Sleep Studies Can Be Important
Sleep studies provide the information needed to determine whether you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. Once you’ve received a diagnosis, you can treat your disorder to get a better night’s rest.
Home sleep studies are an excellent way to find out whether you have sleep apnea. The provided apparatus measures your heart and breathing rate while you’re sleeping to detect irregular patterns indicating you’re not breathing properly at night.
How to Qualify for a Home Sleep Study
Speak with Your Doctor
Sleep apnea causes shortness of breath and airways becoming blocked while sleeping. Left untreated, this condition can cause severe heart problems and can even be fatal. If you think you have sleep apnea, the first thing you should do is speak with your primary care physician.
Schedule a Consultation with a USA Sleep Diagnostic Specialist
After your appointment, your primary healthcare provider will probably refer you to a sleep specialist, like those at USA Sleep Diagnostics. Sleep specialists are well-versed in the physical and psychological conditions that negatively affect sleep and can determine whether you have sleep apnea or another disorder. The first step in getting this diagnosis is an at-home sleep study.
Obtain the Necessary Sleep Study Equipment
You can either pick up the sleep study equipment from a sleep center or have it mailed to your home. Your sleep specialist will provide instructions for using it properly. Following these instructions is crucial to ensure the test is conducted correctly.
Conduct the Sleep Diagnostic Test
Follow your usual bedtime routine and stick to your normal bedtime. Just be sure to leave a little extra time to put on the apparatus and sensors. Along with the apparatus, you’ll receive a journal to record applicable information before and after your home sleep test.
Return the Home Sleep Study Equipment
Sleep study equipment is only meant to be used for one night. Don’t use it multiple nights in a row, as that could distort your test results. After you’ve completed your test, return the equipment to the sleep center or indicated drop-off location.
Contact your sleep specialist if you cannot sleep during your test or have other questions about how to use or return your equipment.
USA Sleep Diagnostics Will Inform You About Your Results
After you’ve completed your home sleep study and returned the equipment, your healthcare provider and sleep specialist will review your results. This analysis can take up to two weeks, so please be patient.
When your results are ready, your diagnostic team will recommend treating or resolving your sleep issues. It’s important to follow these recommendations to avoid future health complications.
Preparing for your Home Sleep Study
What to Know Prior to the Test
Home sleep studies aren’t painful or invasive. Though the devices used may feel somewhat awkward and uncomfortable, most patients can still sleep as they normally would.
While home sleep studies are more convenient and comfortable for many people, they don’t provide as much information as tests performed at a certified sleep center. Sleep centers can measure a range of variables, such as:
- Sleep activity
- REM sleep patterns
- Brain activity
Setting Up The Home Sleep Study Equipment
Setting up your home sleep study equipment is fairly straightforward. Start by strapping the device to your chest with the provided soft straps. Next, slide the cannula (breathing tube) into your nostrils, drape the flexible portion over your ears, and tape the tube to your cheeks.
Once the cannula is in place, screw the other end of the tube into the device. If you’re performing a CPAP study, put on the CPAP mask. Then, finish securing the device by tightening the belt around your waist (it should be snug but not too tight).
Slip the finger probe onto your index finger, and attach all the hoses and cables to the color-coded areas on the device. Last, turn on the device before getting into bed.
What to Expect After a Sleep Study Test
If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, you have various treatment options. After you’ve completed your sleep study test and returned the equipment, we’ll take up to two weeks to analyze and send your results. Your sleep specialist will use these results to recommend treatment.
Treatments Based On Your Results
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is often used to treat sleep apnea. The CPAP is a device that pumps air through a flexible tube into a mask that covers your nose and mouth. This continuous flow of air helps keep your airways open so you can sleep safely and more deeply.
- Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) gently pumps air into your airways, just like a CPAP, but the airflow changes with your breathing patterns. These shifts in air pressure help keep your diaphragm in place to help you breathe more easily.
- Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) is in the same family as CPAP and BiPAP machines. It adapts the amount of air pressure based on your sleeping patterns and may be a good alternative if the other options don’t work for you.
- Oral Appliances (i.e., dental devices) can help prop the mouth open slightly to keep airways open while sleeping. Dentists generally prescribe this treatment.
- Surgery for sleep apnea comes in several forms, including:
- Nasal surgery for individuals with a deviated septum.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) reduces soft tissue from the back of the throat, allowing air to flow more easily.
- Mandibular maxillomandibular advancement surgery is more invasive, but it’s effective for correcting facial and throat obstructions that cause sleep apnea.
Ready to Get Started On Your Path To Better Sleep? Fill Out the Contact Form Below
USA Sleep Diagnostic Center in Bowie, MD, is a leader in sleep disorder diagnosis and treatment. For over 20 years, we’ve helped individuals throughout the US get better rest with state-of-the-art technology and the latest treatment recommendations.
If you’re ready to get your home sleep study kit and start your journey to better rest, simply fill in the form below.
Areas We Serve
USA Sleep Diagnostics serves Bowie, MD, and communities throughout the Southern United States, including:
Interested in Getting Started With Our Sleep Center? Fill Out the Form Below
USA Sleep Diagnostic Services is a sleep center in Columbus, GA, that provides diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related disorders. Our physicians are dedicated to securing your health through our various sleep studies so that you can live a more restful life. With over 20 years of experience, we have the tools you need to get a good night’s sleep.
Don’t suffer through another sleepless night; fill out our form below to start your journey towards rest and relaxation.