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Sleep Studies

Life is better when you regularly get a good night's rest. But sleep disorders, like obstructive sleep apnea, keep many people from getting the slumber they need.

If you have signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, Columbia Memorial Hospital can offer you testing in the comfort of your own home and a customized treatment plan from our sleep doctor. Testing and proper treatment can help you control this condition.

Are you a candidate for a home sleep apnea test?

A home sleep study is an easy way to help your doctor find out if you have sleep apnea. It's generally cheaper and more convenient than staying in a sleep lab.

You may be a candidate for home sleep apnea testing if you have any three of the following:

  • Snoring.
  • Tiredness.
  • A history of stopped breathing during sleep that a sleep partner or someone else has noticed.
  • High blood pressure.
  • A body mass index (BMI) greater than 35.
  • Age over 50.
  • Neck circumference greater than 15.7 inches.
  • Male gender.

Falling asleep easily during the day can be another sign of sleep apnea. That might happen when you're sitting and reading, watching TV, talking to people, or even sitting in your car in traffic.

If you think you might have sleep apnea, talk with your primary care provider about home sleep study testing.

Do you have a sleep disorder?
Answer a few questions about your sleep habits to determine if you might have a sleep disorder.

What to expect with a home sleep study

If your doctor thinks you are a candidate for a sleep study, the Respiratory Therapy Department at CMH will have a home test kit mailed to you. We work with a national company to provide you with the test kit.

The instructions for the test are very clear. Performing the test involves these easy steps:

  1. You will wear a chest monitor, a nasal cannula and an oximeter device on your finger. You will probably need to take the test just one or two nights.
  2. After your test, you will return your kit by mail.

The role of our sleep doctor

After you return your test kit, the results will be scored by a trained specialist and interpreted by a board-certified sleep medicine doctor at CMH. Our sleep doctor may then recommend a treatment plan or additional sleep studies. If needed, this treatment plan will be given to the provider who ordered your sleep study.

If you don't have a primary care provider, our sleep doctor can discuss treatment recommendations with you during sleep medicine consultation at the CMH-OHSU Health Pulmonology Clinic.

A common treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. While you sleep, a CPAP machine provides mild air pressure through a device like a mask to keep your airways open. Other recommendations may include lifestyle changes and special mouthpieces that you wear while you sleep.

How to get a home sleep study

Most people get a referral for a home sleep study from their primary care provider. They can call the CMH Respiratory Department at 503.338.7513 to request a home sleep test.

If you don't have a primary care provider, call the CMH-OHSU Health Pulmonology Clinic at 503.338.4516 to schedule a consultation with our sleep doctor.

For more information, download our Home Sleep Testing Service brochure (PDF).