If you suspect you have sleep apnea, the first question is usually: how do I actually find out? The short answer: a sleep apnea diagnosis comes from a physician, almost always based on a sleep test — and these days that's often a simple test you do at home, in your own bed. As a dental sleep practice, we don't diagnose sleep apnea ourselves, but we help coordinate the testing and provide treatment once you've been diagnosed.
Step 1: Recognizing the signs
Loud snoring, gasping or choking awake, waking up unrefreshed, morning headaches, daytime fatigue, or a partner who's noticed you stop breathing are all worth paying attention to (here are more signs to watch for). Any of these is a reason to look into testing.
Step 2: The sleep test
A diagnosis requires a sleep study. The good news is that many people no longer need an overnight stay in a lab — a comfortable at-home sleep test is common now. You sleep in your own bed wearing a small monitor, and the data goes to a physician.
Step 3: The diagnosis
A physician reviews your results and determines whether you have sleep apnea and how significant it is (mild, moderate, or severe). That diagnosis is what guides your treatment options.
Where we fit in
We screen for the signs of sleep-disordered breathing, help coordinate a physician-ordered sleep test, and — if you're diagnosed and an oral appliance is appropriate — provide and fit a custom device, working hand-in-hand with your doctor. Think of us as the team that handles the comfortable, mask-free treatment side, in coordination with your physician's diagnosis. (Here's what to expect at a consultation.)
Why not just buy something online?
A drugstore snore guard might quiet the noise, but it can also mask sleep apnea while leaving the underlying problem untreated — and untreated apnea is a genuine health concern. Getting properly diagnosed first means you treat the real issue, not just the symptom.
Think you might have sleep apnea? Book a consultation at Old Betsy Dental Sleep Medicine in Keene — we'll help you understand your next steps and coordinate testing with your physician. Book online or call our team.