Night Owl Home Sleep Test: Everything You Need to Know

Are you unable to sleep well at night and have been waking up feeling tired and sleepy? Well, it may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea - a very common sleep-related breathing disorder. When left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to numerous health issues, including elevated blood pressure and heart failure. 

So, if you suspect that you may be suffering from this condition, the best way out is to go for a test. The Night Owl Home Sleep Test is one of the most convenient methods of finding out whether you have sleep apnea. Read on to learn more about obstructive sleep apnea and how the Night Owl Home Sleep Test can help your condition.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is when the muscles in your throat relax while sleeping, thereby blocking the airways. It leads to interrupted breathing when you sleep, reducing your body’s oxygen intake and making you feel fatigued once you wake up. 

This is the most common type of sleep apnea and can vary from being mild in some individuals to severe in others. The severity is usually measured by doctors using a system known as the apnea-hypopnea index or AHI. If your AHI is less than 15, then your obstructive sleep apnea will be classified as mild. A rating between 15-30 is classified as moderate, and anything more than 30 is severe.

Unfortunately, a majority of people who have sleep apnea do not exhibit any clear symptoms, thus delaying the treatment. But, being aware of the signs of this condition is important to prevent further health complications. Some of the common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include the following:

• Snoring - which stops suddenly for a period before resuming again
• Excessive sleepiness during the day
• Feeling irritable
• Dry mouth
• Depression
• Difficulties in concentration
• Headaches in the morning
• Memory issues
• High blood pressure 

So, if you have been experiencing several of the symptoms mentioned above for a considerable period, it's best to consult a doctor to confirm your condition. Usually, doctors recommend a sleep study where they would observe your sleeping and breathing patterns before providing a diagnosis.

Unfortunately, it's not easy to get an appointment, especially with the pandemic still continuing. And even if you do manage to get one, not everyone is comfortable with falling asleep in an unfamiliar place, especially with tubes and wires stuck in their bodies.

While this actually aims to gain an accurate measure of an individual’s sleep apnea, in reality, it may further interrupt the process of falling asleep. So, in order to avoid erroneous sleep data, many medical practitioners often recommend home sleep tests. And the Night Owl Home Sleep Test is one of the best out there.

How Can The Night Owl Home Sleep Study Help?

The Night Owl Home Sleep Test is clinically validated to be useful in accurately measuring sleep apnea in individuals. Unlike many standard sleep tests, it is non-invasive, enabling people to measure the severity of sleep apnea without any discomfort.

This is the smallest home sleep apnea test in the world, with the 1-ounce device being tiny enough to fit on your fingertips. Being a wireless device, it does not restrict the freedom of movement of the person taking the test, allowing them to toss and turn as they usually do while asleep. 

All you need to do is to tape this device to your finger, and that's it - it will measure all the required data while you sleep to create an accurate report that your doctor can analyze to recommend the right treatment. This medical-grade device can provide an estimate of multiple metrics, including your Rapid-Eye Movement (REM) and Non-Rapid-Eye Movement (Non-REM) sleep, Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI), oxygen saturation, as well as your total sleep time.

A home sleep test can only be recommended by a doctor. And at Sleeplay, we go a step further to make it easier for our customers to identify if they have sleep apnea. So, here is how it works:

1. As soon as you place an order for this sleep test, we help you set up an appointment with an experienced doctor. Our team will contact you for scheduling your consultation at a date and time of your choice so that you can get an expert opinion on your condition.
2. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms to determine if you are likely to have sleep apnea or not. If found likely, they will prescribe the home sleep test, which will then be shipped to your location. And in case they decide that you don't need the test, you will only be charged $100 for the consultation, and the rest of the amount will be refunded to you.
3. Once you receive the home sleep test, you need to follow the instructions for use and share the reports with your doctor. After evaluation, the doctor will prescribe a CPAP machine suitable for your condition to help you sleep better.

The Multiple Benefits Of The Night Owl Home Sleep Study

Small size

The Night Owl Home Sleep Study device is so tiny and lightweight that you don't even feel that you have attached anything to your body.

Non-invasive

All you need to do for taking the sleep test is to place the device on your finger and secure it in place with an adhesive tape. Being totally non-invasive, this sleep study does not cause any discomfort to the user.

Reusable

The device is designed to be reusable for up to a maximum of 12 nights to enable you to get more accurate results.

Long Battery Life

The device is equipped with a long battery life. The battery capacity is enough to last for 3 nights before requiring a recharge.

Disposable

The sleep study device is fully disposable, which eliminates the risk of any contamination. You can use it for testing for up to 12 nights.

Multi-night evaluation

This device allows you to record your sleep data for multiple nights and creates a combined report to assist your doctor in coming up with the right diagnosis.

How To Get Started With Your Night Owl Device?

Once you receive your Night Owl Home Sleep Study, there are a few steps you need to follow before you use it. Here is everything you need to know about getting started with using your device.

Install The Night Owl Companion App

The first step you need to do after unboxing your device is to look for the Night Owl Companion App on Google Play Store or Apple Store and download it on your smartphone. After installation, you need to open the app and select the button saying “I Have an Activation Code”. Look for the activation code in the email you had received after your purchase, and enter it on the app. You may also need to fill up some personal details before getting started.

Connect The Device With The App

Once you are done with setting up the app, you need to connect your device to it. The instructions for doing so will be mentioned clearly in the app. You need to press the button on the tiny sensor device until you see a red light blinking, and then click on the “start connecting” option within the app. This will help you pair your device with the app successfully.

Wear The Device

Once your device is connected to the app, you are ready to start your test. Now it's time to wear the device on your finger. Start by taking one of the adhesive strips provided in the package and removing its cover. Put the device on the strip with the sensor side facing upwards. Now, place your finger over the sensor, ensuring that the sensor light is touching your skin, and then wrap the adhesive strip around your finger to secure the device in place.

Take The Test

Once done, all you need to do is to follow the instructions in the app to start recording and go to sleep. Once you wake up in the morning, you can open the app to stop the test and upload the report for your doctor to analyze. For the best results, we recommend testing for at least 3 consecutive nights. However, your doctor may ask you to continue for a longer period if they need more data for evaluation. If depending on your report, the doctor determines that you have obstructive sleep apnea, they will then prescribe a CPAP machine for your assistance.

What Is The Cost Of The Night Owl Home Sleep Study?

The Night Owl Home Sleep Study is rather cost-effective compared to in-lab sleep tests, along with being more convenient. You only need to spend $179 when you purchase it from Sleeplay, and you also get a free consultation and analysis from a certified medical professional.

Final Thoughts

At Sleeplay, our goal is to make you sleep well so that you feel a little better every day. Therefore, to help you get started with your treatment sooner, we will be crediting the cost of the sleep study towards the purchase of the CPAP machine prescribed by your doctor. It's just a small gesture from us to assist you in getting better sleep every night.