How Sleep Apnea is Diagnosed and What You Can Expect

If your doctor suspects sleep apnea, the next step is typically a sleep study—a painless test that monitors how you breathe while you sleep. This can be done in a sleep lab or sometimes entirely at home with advanced diagnostic equipment.

Preparing for the Test

To ensure accurate results, follow these basic tips:

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol on the day of the test

• Don’t nap during the day

• Stick to your regular bedtime

• Bring your own pillow or pajamas if it helps you sleep more comfortably

In-Lab Sleep Study: What to Expect

An overnight sleep study in a clinic is called a polysomnogram.Before bedtime, a trained technician will gently place small sensors on your chest, scalp, and temples. You’ll also have soft belts around your chest and stomach, plus a clip on your finger to monitor your oxygen levels. These sensors track important things like your breathing patterns, heart rate, brain waves, oxygen levels, and even how often you move or change positions during sleep.

While the setup might look a little technical, it’s not uncomfortable, and most people fall asleep just fine. A video camera will also quietly record your movements during the night to give the sleep doctor even more insight. By morning, all the sensors are removed, and you’re free to head home.You don’t need to do anything special—just sleep as you normally would. Most people fall asleep easily despite the equipment.

Home Sleep Study Options

In many cases, particularly if moderate or severe sleep apnea is suspected, you may be offered a comprehensive home sleep study using portable diagnostic systems like ResMed ApneaLink Air or Alice PDx. These FDA-approved setups offer detailed data collection from the comfort of your own bed and are suitable alternatives to in-lab testing.

Home tests may include:

• A nasal cannula or sensor to measure airflow

• A chest and abdomen belt to detect breathing effort

• A finger clip to record oxygen levels and pulse

• In more advanced systems, optional EEG and EOG sensors to track sleep stages

These systems are easy to use and come with clear instructions. Your doctor will review the data and determine if sleep apnea is present and how severe it is.

Understanding the Results

After your study—whether in a lab or at home—a sleep specialist will review the data to assess:

• How often you stopped breathing completely (apneas)

• How often you had shallow breathing (hypopneas)

• Your oxygen levels during sleep

• Disruptions in your sleep stages or sleep position

If you experience five or more breathing interruptions per hour, you may be diagnosed with sleep apnea. The severity is typically categorized as mild, moderate, or severe based on the number of events.

No special breathing technique is required—you simply breathe normally, and the equipment records everything.

After the Diagnosis

Once your sleep study results are available, your doctor will explain the findings and discuss personalized treatment options based on the type and severity of your sleep apnea. Common treatments include CPAP or APAP therapy, which use gentle air pressure to keep your airway open during sleep. In some cases, an oral appliance may be recommended to reposition your jaw or tongue. Your doctor may also suggest lifestyle changes like weight loss, limiting alcohol, or improving your sleep habits. For certain individuals, positional therapy (encouraging side-sleeping) or even surgical interventions may be considered to help improve airflow and reduce symptoms.