Commercial bus and train operators are responsible for millions of lives. In recognition of this fact, most are subjected to frequent drug and alcohol testing. However, there is another condition that can cause impaired driving that is often over-looked--sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a very prevalent condition--in fact, an estimated 1 in 5 American adults has the sleep disorder. 

By that number, we should all be able to name at least a handful of people with sleep apnea. But in fact, 80% of sleep apnea cases go untreated and most people don't even know they have it.  Those with sleep apnea don't usually remember waking up during the night and might brush off their symptoms as just being tired. And the only way to know for sure if you have the condition is to be tested for it. 

So here are our top 5 reasons why you should have a sleep study--and the benefits that could result from taking back your restful sleep.

Having a sleep disorder like sleep apnea is a serious health issue. It can affect not only your sleep patterns, but also how you function during the day. It can even lead to serious health problems like heart strain, mental exhaustion, and even traffic accidents. 

But testing can determine if you are affected by a sleep disorder--and now, having a sleep test is easier than ever with the option of a Home Sleep Test.

You're probably familiar with the idea of a sleep study. You're likely picturing a bed in a sleep center, a night away from your home and your family, a tangle of wires and sensors, and a somewhat restless night of sleep.  

But what if I told you that there was a sleep study option that let you test for sleep disorders from the comfort of your home, with a minimum of equipment, at a lower price than an in-center test?

That's where Home Sleep Testing comes in.

I received this email from a patient yesterday:

So what happens after the sleep study??? 

Did you receive a call from a sleep center to schedule an in-center or in-home sleep study?

You may have read our blog post on the difference between an at-home HST (Home Sleep Test) and an in-lab PSG (polysomnography), both of which test for sleep apnea. But that’s just scratching the surface of the sometimes complex and confusing terminology used to describe sleep disorder diagnosis and treatment. What’s the difference between a BiPAP titration and an ASV Titration? What’s a MWT (Maintenance of Wakefulness Test)? Which applies to me?

You’re in luck, because we have the answers.

In light of the car crash last month that seriously injured comedian Tracy Morgan, more attention is being drawn to the grave safety issue of truck drivers nodding off on the job. If a motorist has sleep apnea--a health condition that impairs quality of sleep and increases drowsiness--the risk of an accident is even greater.

Getting ready for a sleep study can make you more nervous than a blind date. You've made the arrangements, but there are so many questions buzzing around in your head. What should I wear?? Should I be early or can I be a few minutes late?? What should I bring with me?? Now you're losing sleep over the sleep study!!

What is Unattended Home Sleep Testing (HST)?

Rather than spend the night in a sleep center to determine whether or not you have a sleep disorder, unattended home sleep testing, or HST, in gowing in popularity. Many physicians and health plans prefer this option to in-lab sleep studies because they are more convenient for patients are typically less expensive than sleep studies conducted in a sleep center or hospital.