Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing while sleeping. The most common form of sleep apnea, OSA occurs when muscles in the throat overrelax and interrupt breathing by narrowing or blocking the airway. While an official diagnosis requires an overnight stay at a sleep center, at-home tests are a simple and convenient starting point if you exhibit OSA-indicative signs like loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and disrupted sleep due to gasping or choking.
At-home sleep apnea tests take the form of a breathing monitor that tracks breathing patterns, respiratory effort, and blood oxygen levels as you sleep. They collect data via sensors attached to different parts of the body, such as a finger probe to measure oxygen levels, bands that record chest or abdomen rise and fall, and a nasal cannula.
These tests only provide raw data, so interpreting their results requires evaluation by a qualified physician. As it is not an over-the-counter device, a doctor or sleep physician needs to prescribe one.