Sleep Studies
Respiratory Therapy Department
(660) 686-2337
What is Sleep Apnea?
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night gasping for air? Does your partner complain about your incessant, loud snoring? Do you feel more tired in the morning than when you went to bed? Then you could be one of the 18 million American adults who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a condition in which the upper passages of your airways close up, cutting off your oxygen and interrupting your breathing until you wake up and start breathing again. The only way to confirm whether you have sleep apnea is to take a sleep test, where experts record what happens while you snooze.
Common signs of sleep apnea:
- Loud, Consistent Snoring
- Waking Up to Breathe
- Daytime Sleepiness
- Sleeping with Your Mouth Open
Services Offered
Sleep Studies
Home Sleep Studies
In-Lab Sleep Studies
CH-F’s respiratory department offers sleep study services on an outpatient basis. Sleep Studies are offered to patients when referred by their provider. Community Hospital-Fairfax offers two types of sleep studies. You and your provider will decide which study is best for you.
Home sleep studies are done in the convenience of your own home. A home sleep test measures oxygen saturation, heart rate, airflow, movement in your chest and abdomen and it will also record time spent snoring and your sleep position. After the test is returned to the hospital, the home sleep test is interpreted by a physician certified in sleep medicine. Available by appointment only.
An In- lab sleep study is a test that measures how well you sleep and determines whether you have any sleep problems, as well as how severe any sleep problems are. Since people aren’t typically aware of their breathing, movements, and other habits while they sleep. A sleep study will help your provider examine your sleeping pattern and diagnose any sleep disorders. Available monthly by appointment only.
I think I have sleep Apnea. How do I get a sleep study?
Next Steps...
First, you should talk with your provider about the symptoms you are having. Your provider may ask you specific questions to determine if you need sleep study and what type of study would be best for you. Once you and your provider decide that you need a sleep study your provider will send a referral to the hospital.
After we receive a referral we will contact you to setup your appointment to either have an in-lab or home sleep study. Once completed the sleep test that you completed goes to a board certified sleep physician to be read. The doctor will send his recommendations to your provider. If it is recommended by your provider that you need treatment for your sleep apnea the Sleep Lab Center at CH-F will help you get set up with that equipment through a durable medical equipment supplier.
Positive Airway Pressure Machine
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea it may be recommended for you to use a positive airway pressure machine to treat the sleep apnea. Positive airway pressure machines come in a variety of types. One type of treatment is continuous positive airway pressure machine or CPAP. A CPAP machine works to treat sleep apnea by pushing in gentle pressure to hold open the airway to the lungs allowing people to sleep deeper and easier.