Home Sleep Apnea Test in Singapore

• Adults experiencing sleep apnoea symptoms such as loud snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, and excessive daytime sleepiness
• Individuals with risk factors, including obesity, large neck circumference, or family history of sleep apnoea
• Patients with hypertension, particularly those with blood pressure management challenges
• People who cannot undergo in-laboratory sleep studies due to mobility issues or scheduling constraints
• Those seeking initial screening for uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnoea
• Individuals with clinical indicators suggesting moderate to severe OSA

• Patients with significant cardiopulmonary diseases requiring more comprehensive monitoring
• Individuals suspected of having central sleep apnoea or complex sleep disorders
• Those with neuromuscular conditions affecting breathing
• Patients taking medications that significantly affect sleep architecture
• Children under 18 years (typically require in-laboratory studies)
• Individuals with cognitive impairment who cannot follow test instructions

A thorough evaluation by an ENT specialist or a respiratory physician is essential to determine whether a home sleep apnoea test is appropriate for your specific situation. The specialist considers your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors to recommend the most suitable diagnostic approach.

Before your home sleep apnoea test, you’ll attend a consultation where an ENT specialist can explain the procedure and provide the testing equipment. You’ll receive detailed instructions on attaching the sensors and operating the device. Maintain your regular sleep schedule on the test night and avoid alcohol or sedatives unless prescribed by your physician. Have dinner at your usual time and prepare for bed as you usually do.

On the test day, your skin needs to be clean and dry where sensors may be attached. Remove any nail polish from the finger that will wear the pulse oximeter. Charge the device if required, and review the provided instruction manual. Many clinics also provide video tutorials or phone support to assist with setup.

When you’re ready for bed, attach the sensors according to the provided instructions. Start with the chest and abdominal belts, making sure that they’re snug but comfortable. Connect the nasal cannula and position it correctly in your nostrils. Attach the pulse oximeter to your finger, making sure it’s secure but not too tight. Turn on the recording device and verify that all sensors are working correctly using the indicator lights.

Sleep in your preferred position and try to maintain your normal sleep habits. The device continuously records throughout the night. Most people find they can sleep relatively normally after an initial adjustment period. If you need to use the bathroom during the night, you can temporarily disconnect and reconnect the sensors.

Upon waking, turn off the recording device as instructed and carefully remove all sensors. Pack the equipment in the provided case for return to the clinic. Sleep clinics typically arrange for equipment collection or drop-off. The recorded data is then downloaded and prepared for analysis by qualified sleep technologists and physicians.

You can resume all normal activities immediately after the test. Some people may experience mild skin irritation at the site of sensor attachment, which typically resolves quickly. Keep your follow-up appointment scheduled to discuss results and treatment recommendations.

While home sleep apnoea tests can help diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea, they have certain limitations. The test cannot detect other sleep disorders such as periodic limb movements, parasomnias, or narcolepsy, which require more comprehensive monitoring available only in laboratory settings. The absence of video monitoring means that sleep positions and unusual movements cannot be observed and correlated with breathing events.

Home tests may underestimate the severity of sleep apnoea in some cases, as they don’t measure actual sleep time but rather recording time. This can affect the accuracy of the AHI calculation. If technical problems occur during the night, there’s no technologist present to correct them, potentially resulting in lost data.

Certain situations require the comprehensive monitoring available only in a sleep laboratory. Patients with suspected central sleep apnoea, complex sleep disorders, or significant cardiac or pulmonary conditions need more detailed physiological monitoring. Those who have had an inconclusive home test or whose symptoms don’t match home test results may require laboratory polysomnography.

Certain patient populations and those with significant anxiety about the testing process often benefit from the supervised environment and support available in a sleep laboratory. Your ENT specialist can determine the appropriate testing method based on your individual circumstances and medical history.