Sleep Apnea: How Sleep Apnea is Diagnosed
- Wellfirst Sleep
- Apr 26
- 3 min read
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night. While it may seem like just a snoring problem, it can lead to serious health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and type 2 diabetes—especially if it goes undiagnosed for too long.
A proper sleep apnea diagnosis can change your life. It's the first step toward better sleep, sharper focus, improved mood, and long-term health.
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Step-by-Step Through the Process
1. Symptom Evaluation
It all starts with a conversation. Our sleep specialist will ask about signs such as loud snoring, daytime fatigue, gasping for air during sleep, or trouble concentrating. If you have a sleep partner, their input can offer helpful insight into what happens while you're asleep.
2. Meeting the Sleep Apnea Diagnosis Criteria
To confirm a diagnosis, your symptoms must match specific sleep apnea diagnosis criteria. This often includes frequency of breathing interruptions, oxygen level drops, and how these affect your sleep quality. These are measured during a sleep study.
3. Undergoing a Sleep Study
There are two main ways to get sleep apnea diagnosed:
In our Sleep Center: You’ll sleep overnight in a private room while small sensors monitor your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels. It might look intimidating at first, but the test is painless—and most people sleep just fine.
At Home: Many patients now qualify for at-home sleep apnea testing. You'll receive a user-friendly device from us with sensors to track your breathing and oxygen levels while you sleep in your own bed. This method is ideal if you’re at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea and have no major underlying health concerns.
After your study, our sleep specialist will review the results—how often you stop breathing, how long those pauses last, and how your body responds.
4. What If More Testing Is Needed?
For some patients, especially when central sleep apnea or other complex conditions are suspected, we might recommend additional tests. But for most people, one sleep study is enough to confirm the diagnosis.
“Most people are amazed by how quickly they start feeling better after getting sleep apnea diagnosed and starting treatment.”— Gerard J., CEO of Wellfirst Sleep
Why Choose Wellfirst Sleep for Your Sleep Apnea Diagnosis?
At Wellfirst Sleep, we believe that getting sleep apnea diagnosed shouldn’t be stressful or complicated. Our process is designed to be simple, supportive, and patient-centered—so you can get the answers you need without delay. Whether you’re just starting to explore your symptoms or you’re ready to get tested, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Expert consultations and guidance
Comfortable, accurate sleep testing
Personalized treatment plans based on your needs
Ongoing support to help you sleep better for life
Thousands have already taken control of their health by getting sleep apnea diagnosed with Wellfirst Sleep.
“The at-home sleep test was a game-changer. It was easy, and the results finally gave me clarity. Now, I actually wake up feeling refreshed.” — John S., Wellfirst Sleep patient
John’s experience is just one example of how life-changing a proper sleep apnea diagnosis can be. With the right testing and treatment, many of our patients report improvements in their energy, mood, and overall well-being—often within just a few nights.
How to Get Tested for Sleep Apnea
Start Your Journey to Better Sleep Today
If you’re tired of waking up tired, or someone’s told you they’re worried about your breathing at night—it’s time to take action. Whether you prefer an at-home test or need in-lab support, we’ll help you every step of the way.
Schedule your consultation with Wellfirst Sleep.
You could be one night away from better rest, better energy, and a healthier you.
Keywords: sleep apnea diagnosed, sleep apnea diagnosis criteria, sleep apnea undiagnosed, how to get tested for sleep apnea
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