Sleep Studies
Home sleep tests and in-lab options — the right study for your situation, with results explained clearly.
What It Is
A sleep study is a diagnostic test that records what happens in your body while you sleep. It measures things like your breathing patterns, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, brain activity, and body movements. The data from a sleep study is what allows Dr. Desilva to accurately diagnose sleep apnea and determine its type and severity.
There are two main types of sleep studies: home sleep tests and in-lab polysomnography. Dr. Desilva will recommend the right one based on your symptoms, medical history, and what the evaluation is looking for.
Home Sleep Test vs. In-Lab Study
Home Sleep Test
- Sleep in the comfort of your own bed
- Simple device with minimal sensors
- Measures breathing, oxygen, heart rate, and position
- Ideal for suspected obstructive sleep apnea
- Convenient — no overnight facility visit
- Often covered by insurance
In-Lab Sleep Study
- Monitored by technicians in a sleep lab facility
- Comprehensive sensor array including brain waves (EEG)
- Measures sleep stages, leg movements, and detailed breathing
- Required for suspected central or complex sleep apnea
- Needed when home test results are inconclusive
- Recommended for patients with significant comorbidities
How Home Sleep Tests Work
Home sleep tests are convenient, straightforward, and provide reliable data for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea. Here is the process from start to finish:
Dr. Desilva Orders Your Test
Based on your consultation, Dr. Desilva determines that a home sleep test is appropriate and places the order.
Device Shipped to You
A compact, easy-to-use sleep testing device is shipped directly to your home with clear instructions.
Sleep in Your Own Bed
Wear the device for one to two nights while sleeping in your normal environment. The device records breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and body position.
Return the Device
Ship the device back in the prepaid packaging. Your data is uploaded and prepared for Dr. Desilva to review.
Review Results Together
Dr. Desilva reviews your results with you, explains the findings in plain language, and discusses your treatment options.
When an In-Lab Study Is Needed
While home sleep tests work well for most patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea, certain situations require the more comprehensive data that only an in-lab polysomnography can provide:
- Your home sleep test results are inconclusive or borderline
- Central sleep apnea or complex sleep apnea is suspected
- You have significant heart failure, neuromuscular disease, or chronic lung disease
- Narcolepsy, parasomnias, or other non-apnea sleep disorders are being evaluated
- A CPAP titration study is needed to determine optimal pressure settings
- You have previously had an inadequate home sleep test recording
What Your Results Mean
Sleep study results can seem overwhelming with their technical metrics and medical terminology. Dr. Desilva takes the time to explain your results clearly, including your Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) — the number that measures how many times per hour your breathing is disrupted during sleep.
Your AHI determines the severity of your sleep apnea: mild (5 to 15 events per hour), moderate (15 to 30), or severe (over 30). But the number alone does not tell the whole story. Dr. Desilva also considers your oxygen desaturation levels, sleep architecture, and how your results correlate with your symptoms and overall health.
Understanding your results is the first step toward an effective treatment plan. You will never leave an appointment wondering what your numbers mean.
Who Should Get a Sleep Study?
If you snore loudly, feel tired despite sleeping enough hours, experience morning headaches, or have been told you stop breathing during sleep, a sleep study can provide the answers you need. Sleep studies are also recommended for patients with high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, or other conditions that are commonly worsened by untreated sleep apnea.
Find Out What Happens When You Sleep
A sleep study is the first step toward understanding and treating your sleep disorder. Schedule a consultation to discuss which study is right for you.