Sleep Apnea Testing

How Sleep Apnea Is Diagnosed

Diagnosing sleep apnea combines a physician evaluation with an objective sleep study. Here's how the pieces fit together.

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The evaluation

Your provider reviews your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors, often using validated screening questionnaires. This determines whether a sleep study is warranted and which type is right for you.

The sleep study

An objective study — most commonly an at-home test — records your breathing during sleep. A board-certified sleep medicine physician then interprets the data rather than relying on the device alone.

How severity is measured

Sleep apnea severity is commonly described using the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), which reflects how often breathing pauses or becomes shallow per hour of sleep. Your physician explains what your specific results mean and the recommended next steps. Learn more in understanding your results, or review the home study process.

Keep Reading

Related Sleep Topics

Home Sleep Apnea Testing

The full Georgia home sleep testing overview. →

Home Sleep Study Process

How the at-home test actually works. →

Understanding Your Results

AHI and severity, explained plainly. →

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Not usually. Most adults with suspected obstructive sleep apnea can be diagnosed with an at-home study. Your physician will recommend an in-lab study only if it's more appropriate for you.
Severity is commonly described with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) - the number of breathing pauses per hour of sleep - which your physician interprets alongside your symptoms.
Most patients complete testing and receive a physician-interpreted result within days of their evaluation.

Physician-led sleep care across Georgia.

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