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Sleep Apnea: Should I Have a Sleep Study?

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Sleep Apnea: Should I Have a Sleep Study?

Get the facts

Your options

  • Have a sleep study.
  • Don't have a sleep study. Instead, use lifestyle changes to try to improve sleep.

Key points to remember

  • If you snore but don't have other symptoms of sleep apnea, you may not need a sleep study. Lifestyle changes may reduce your snoring. Examples of changes you can try are losing weight (if needed), avoiding alcohol and sedating medicines before going to bed, and sleeping on your side.
  • A sleep study is the only sure way to find out if you have sleep apnea. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, including being very tired and sleepy during the day, your doctor will probably suggest a polysomnography sleep study.
  • You may want to know if you have sleep apnea, because it has been linked with other health problems including high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, heart failure, and depression. It also can lead to car accidents.
  • If you know that you have sleep apnea, you can treat it.
FAQs

What is sleep apnea?

You have sleep apnea when your breathing is often blocked or partly blocked while you sleep. It can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of times an hour that you have less airflow to your lungs. For adults, apnea may occur from 5 times an hour to more than 30 times an hour.

The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. Although doctors use sleep studies to diagnose both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea, this Decision Point focuses on obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the airways in your nose, mouth, or throat are blocked or become narrow. Everyone's throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep. But in some people, certain things can cause this normal process to partly or completely block the airway.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Symptoms of sleep apnea can include:

  • Being so sleepy during the day that it gets in the way of the normal things you do, such as work or school.
  • Feeling tired in the morning.
  • Having trouble concentrating.
  • Waking up with a headache.

Your bed partner may notice that while you sleep:

  • You stop breathing.
  • You often snore loudly.
  • You gasp or choke.
  • You toss and turn.

Snoring and lack of sleep from apnea can make it hard to get through the day. You may feel grouchy a lot and have trouble focusing on work and activities. If you snore, your bed partner also might not get enough sleep. This can make your relationship suffer.

Why have a sleep study?

A sleep study is the only sure way to know if you have sleep apnea. The main type is an all-night sleep study done in a qualified sleep lab. It is called polysomnography (say "pawl-ee-sawm-NAW-gruh-fee"). Sleep studies also can be done with portable equipment that you use at home.

You might want a sleep study, because if you have sleep apnea and it's not found and treated, it can interfere with your quality of life. It can make you too sleepy when you should be awake.

It also is linked to problems such as:

If you snore but don't have other symptoms, you may not need a sleep study. Lifestyle changes—such as losing weight (if needed) and sleeping on your side—may reduce your snoring.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Treatment for sleep apnea can include:

  • Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight (if needed), sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol and sedating medicines before bedtime, and not smoking.
  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This uses a machine to keep your airway open while you sleep.
  • Oral breathing devices or other types of devices that you wear while you sleep to help keep your airway open.
  • Surgery to open your airway.

Your doctor probably will have you try lifestyle changes and CPAP first. But surgery might be your first choice if your sleep apnea is caused by a blockage that can be fixed easily.

Will treating sleep apnea help?

Sleep apnea can make it hard for you to get good rest. It can make you tired during the day, and it can cause serious health problems. But treatment, like lifestyle changes, breathing machines, or oral or nasal breathing devices, can help. Breathing better at night can help you feel better during the day.

Why might your doctor recommend a sleep study?

Your doctor might recommend a sleep study if:

  • You have symptoms of sleep apnea, such as heavy snoring and being sleepy during the day.
  • You have a risk of other health problems from sleep apnea.
  • Lack of sleep is hurting your quality of life or raising safety issues.

Compare your options

Compare

What is usually involved?









What are the benefits?









What are the risks and side effects?









Have a sleep study Have a sleep study
  • You spend the night in a sleep lab. Your breathing, your eye movements, how much oxygen you're getting, and other physical signs are measured while you sleep.
  • It's the only way to know for sure if you have sleep apnea.
  • There aren't any health risks to having a sleep study.
  • A sleep study can cost a lot.
  • It takes a lot of time.
  • It might not find out what is causing your symptoms.
Don't have a sleep study Don't have a sleep study
  • You can try lifestyle changes (such as losing weight) to reduce your snoring and mild sleep apnea.
  • You won't have the cost of testing.
  • You won't have to spend a night in a sleep lab.
  • You can decide to have a sleep study later if lifestyle changes don't reduce your symptoms.
  • If you have sleep apnea and don't treat it:
    • It could lead to other health problems.
    • You may be too sleepy during the day to drive or do other things safely and effectively.

Personal stories about sleep studies

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

My husband snores so much when he sleeps that he has been keeping me awake. I don't think that he has been sleeping well either, because sometimes he falls asleep when he is just talking to me. I discussed it with him, and we decided that he should have a sleep study to see if he has sleep apnea.

Margaret, age 47

Sometimes I snore so loudly that I wake myself from sleep. I am also tired during the day. I read somewhere that snoring could be a symptom of sleep apnea. I called my doctor and told her about my symptoms. She gave me a few tips to prevent snoring. I am going to try these methods first to see if they work before I think about having a sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea.

Jamal, age 37

I have been a truck driver for almost 20 years. Recently, I have almost had a few driving accidents because I have a hard time staying awake while driving. When I sleep at home, my wife says that I stop breathing while I sleep. I am going to have a sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea.

Hal, age 41

My partner says that sometimes I stop breathing while I am sleeping. Fortunately, I don't feel sleepy during the day. I talked with my doctor about my breathing problems because I think that I might have sleep apnea. She told me that it is common for older adults to have short lapses in breathing and that I probably don't need to have a sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea unless I am having other problems.

Frank, age 63

What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to have a sleep study

Reasons not to have a sleep study

I want to do everything I can to find out why I'm snoring so much.

I want to just try things at home to reduce snoring.

More important
Equally important
More important

My snoring is hurting my relationship.

My snoring isn't hurting my relationship.

More important
Equally important
More important

I'm so tired during the day that I'm sleepy when I should be awake.

I'm not sleepy when I should be awake.

More important
Equally important
More important

I'm willing to try a treatment like CPAP if I find out that I have sleep apnea.

I'm not willing to do anything more than lifestyle changes for sleep apnea.

More important
Equally important
More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important
Equally important
More important

Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

Having a sleep study

NOT having a sleep study

Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward

What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1, Do all people who snore need a sleep study to see if they have sleep apnea?
2, Is a sleep study the only way to know for sure if you have sleep apnea?
3, Can sleep apnea lead to any other health problems?

Decide what's next

1,Do you understand the options available to you?
2,Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3,Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?

Certainty

1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?

Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
2, Check what you need to do before you make this decision.

Your Summary

Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.

Your decision  

Next steps

Which way you're leaning

How sure you are

Your comments

Your knowledge of the facts  

Key concepts that you understood

Key concepts that may need review

Getting ready to act  

Patient choices

What matters to you  

Print Summary

Credits

Credits
Author Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review BoardClinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Sleep Apnea: Should I Have a Sleep Study?

Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
  1. Get the facts
  2. Compare your options
  3. What matters most to you?
  4. Where are you leaning now?
  5. What else do you need to make your decision?

1. Get the Facts

Your options

  • Have a sleep study.
  • Don't have a sleep study. Instead, use lifestyle changes to try to improve sleep.

Key points to remember

  • If you snore but don't have other symptoms of sleep apnea, you may not need a sleep study. Lifestyle changes may reduce your snoring. Examples of changes you can try are losing weight (if needed), avoiding alcohol and sedating medicines before going to bed, and sleeping on your side.
  • A sleep study is the only sure way to find out if you have sleep apnea. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, including being very tired and sleepy during the day, your doctor will probably suggest a polysomnography sleep study.
  • You may want to know if you have sleep apnea, because it has been linked with other health problems including high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, heart failure, and depression. It also can lead to car accidents.
  • If you know that you have sleep apnea, you can treat it.
FAQs

What is sleep apnea?

You have sleep apnea when your breathing is often blocked or partly blocked while you sleep. It can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of times an hour that you have less airflow to your lungs. For adults, apnea may occur from 5 times an hour to more than 30 times an hour.

The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. Although doctors use sleep studies to diagnose both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea, this Decision Point focuses on obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the airways in your nose, mouth, or throat are blocked or become narrow. Everyone's throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep. But in some people, certain things can cause this normal process to partly or completely block the airway.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Symptoms of sleep apnea can include:

  • Being so sleepy during the day that it gets in the way of the normal things you do, such as work or school.
  • Feeling tired in the morning.
  • Having trouble concentrating.
  • Waking up with a headache.

Your bed partner may notice that while you sleep:

  • You stop breathing.
  • You often snore loudly.
  • You gasp or choke.
  • You toss and turn.

Snoring and lack of sleep from apnea can make it hard to get through the day. You may feel grouchy a lot and have trouble focusing on work and activities. If you snore, your bed partner also might not get enough sleep. This can make your relationship suffer.

Why have a sleep study?

A sleep study is the only sure way to know if you have sleep apnea. The main type is an all-night sleep study done in a qualified sleep lab. It is called polysomnography (say "pawl-ee-sawm-NAW-gruh-fee"). Sleep studies also can be done with portable equipment that you use at home.

You might want a sleep study, because if you have sleep apnea and it's not found and treated, it can interfere with your quality of life. It can make you too sleepy when you should be awake.

It also is linked to problems such as:

If you snore but don't have other symptoms, you may not need a sleep study. Lifestyle changes—such as losing weight (if needed) and sleeping on your side—may reduce your snoring.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Treatment for sleep apnea can include:

  • Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight (if needed), sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol and sedating medicines before bedtime, and not smoking.
  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This uses a machine to keep your airway open while you sleep.
  • Oral breathing devices or other types of devices that you wear while you sleep to help keep your airway open.
  • Surgery to open your airway.

Your doctor probably will have you try lifestyle changes and CPAP first. But surgery might be your first choice if your sleep apnea is caused by a blockage that can be fixed easily.

Will treating sleep apnea help?

Sleep apnea can make it hard for you to get good rest. It can make you tired during the day, and it can cause serious health problems. But treatment, like lifestyle changes, breathing machines, or oral or nasal breathing devices, can help. Breathing better at night can help you feel better during the day.

Why might your doctor recommend a sleep study?

Your doctor might recommend a sleep study if:

  • You have symptoms of sleep apnea, such as heavy snoring and being sleepy during the day.
  • You have a risk of other health problems from sleep apnea.
  • Lack of sleep is hurting your quality of life or raising safety issues.

2. Compare your options

 Have a sleep studyDon't have a sleep study
What is usually involved?
  • You spend the night in a sleep lab. Your breathing, your eye movements, how much oxygen you're getting, and other physical signs are measured while you sleep.
  • You can try lifestyle changes (such as losing weight) to reduce your snoring and mild sleep apnea.
What are the benefits?
  • It's the only way to know for sure if you have sleep apnea.
  • You won't have the cost of testing.
  • You won't have to spend a night in a sleep lab.
  • You can decide to have a sleep study later if lifestyle changes don't reduce your symptoms.
What are the risks and side effects?
  • There aren't any health risks to having a sleep study.
  • A sleep study can cost a lot.
  • It takes a lot of time.
  • It might not find out what is causing your symptoms.
  • If you have sleep apnea and don't treat it:
    • It could lead to other health problems.
    • You may be too sleepy during the day to drive or do other things safely and effectively.

Personal stories

Personal stories about sleep studies

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

"My husband snores so much when he sleeps that he has been keeping me awake. I don't think that he has been sleeping well either, because sometimes he falls asleep when he is just talking to me. I discussed it with him, and we decided that he should have a sleep study to see if he has sleep apnea."

— Margaret, age 47

"Sometimes I snore so loudly that I wake myself from sleep. I am also tired during the day. I read somewhere that snoring could be a symptom of sleep apnea. I called my doctor and told her about my symptoms. She gave me a few tips to prevent snoring. I am going to try these methods first to see if they work before I think about having a sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea."

— Jamal, age 37

"I have been a truck driver for almost 20 years. Recently, I have almost had a few driving accidents because I have a hard time staying awake while driving. When I sleep at home, my wife says that I stop breathing while I sleep. I am going to have a sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea."

— Hal, age 41

"My partner says that sometimes I stop breathing while I am sleeping. Fortunately, I don't feel sleepy during the day. I talked with my doctor about my breathing problems because I think that I might have sleep apnea. She told me that it is common for older adults to have short lapses in breathing and that I probably don't need to have a sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea unless I am having other problems."

— Frank, age 63

3. What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to have a sleep study

Reasons not to have a sleep study

I want to do everything I can to find out why I'm snoring so much.

I want to just try things at home to reduce snoring.

       
More important
Equally important
More important

My snoring is hurting my relationship.

My snoring isn't hurting my relationship.

       
More important
Equally important
More important

I'm so tired during the day that I'm sleepy when I should be awake.

I'm not sleepy when I should be awake.

       
More important
Equally important
More important

I'm willing to try a treatment like CPAP if I find out that I have sleep apnea.

I'm not willing to do anything more than lifestyle changes for sleep apnea.

       
More important
Equally important
More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

  
       
More important
Equally important
More important

4. Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

Having a sleep study

NOT having a sleep study

       
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward

5. What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1. Do all people who snore need a sleep study to see if they have sleep apnea?

  • Yes
  • No
  • I'm not sure
That's right. If you snore but don't have other symptoms of sleep apnea, you may not need a sleep study. Lifestyle changes may reduce your snoring.

2. Is a sleep study the only way to know for sure if you have sleep apnea?

  • Yes
  • No
  • I'm not sure
You're right. A sleep study is the only sure way to find out if you have sleep apnea.

3. Can sleep apnea lead to any other health problems?

  • Yes
  • No
  • I'm not sure
You're right. Sleep apnea has been linked with problems such as high blood pressure, heart failure, and depression.

Decide what's next

1. Do you understand the options available to you?

2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?

3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?

Certainty

1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?

     
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure

2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.

  • I'm ready to take action.
  • I want to discuss the options with others.
  • I want to learn more about my options.
 
Credits
By Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review BoardClinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
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Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.