for Adults & Children
Phone: (303) 396-5923
Fax: (303) 957-5414
Phone: (303) 396-5923
Fax: (303) 957-5414
Learn more about Sleep Apnea & Sleep Testing
What are symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Loud Snoring
Gasping for air while sleeping
Morning headaches
Excessive sleepiness during the day
Difficulty concentrating
Dry mouth when waking up
Stop breathing during sleep, as noticed by others
Central Sleep Apnea happens when the brain fails to tell the body/lungs to breath. This is typically noticed by another person who can tell there is no effort to breath for a short period of time. The prevalence of Central Sleep Apnea coincides with elevation. This is why Central Sleep Apnea is very common in Colorado and In Lab Sleep Studies are so important.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea happens when the airway in the back of the throat becomes obstructed during sleep. This can happen when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much. It can also be due to being overweight, having a large neck size, smoking, alcohol use or issues with the jaw.
Central vs Obstructive Sleep Apnea
How can I properly be tested for Sleep Apnea?
Testing for suspected Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is done with an overnight sleep test. In some cases this can be done at home using a portable sleep testing device. In order to test for suspected severe OSA, Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), restless leg syndrome, insomnia or cardiac related sleep disorders the study must be done in a Sleep Lab attended by a sleep technician. Mountain Sleep Diagnostics offers both types of test.
Staying at a Mountain Sleep Diagnostics Sleep Center is similar to staying at a hotel. Patients have their own private rooms with a full size bed. There are one or two shared bathrooms in each Sleep Center that can be used during the night. While bedding is supplied, patients are welcome to bring their own pillows or blankets if that helps them sleep better.
Before the study begins a sleep technician will explain the process of the study and answer any questions you might have. They will also have you try on a CPAP mask to determine how it fits and so you know what it feels like. They will stick several small sensors to your face, head, chest and limbs. These sensors will monitor and record brain activity, heart activity, and body movement. Waistbands will be placed around the waist/chest to monitor body position as well as breathing effort. A small finger sensor will be placed on an index finger to monitor oxygen levels. A nasal cannula will be placed under the nose to measure air flow.
All of the sensors will be monitored by the technician and after a few hours, if the patient shows enough signs of sleep apnea, treatment can begin. In some cases patients sleep really well the first half of the night and don't have problems until the early morning. In these cases, a second night is usually scheduled for treatment.
The study typically ends around 6:00 AM when the sensors are removed and the patient can return home. For pediatric patients or patients needing a companion, a parent/companion will sleep in the room with the patient in an oversized recliner.
What is a test like in one of our sleep centers?
In Home testing units will either mailed to your home address or picked up in office, if requested. Instructions can be located via your patient portal, paperwork alongside the device or by using the QR code included with the device. There is also a phone number to an after-hours sleep technician who can answer questions after 5:00 pm.
There are two primary devices used at Mountain Sleep Diagnostics.
Our SleepImage Device looks like a large ring that'll be placed on your finger.
Our NOX units are slightly larger than a deck of cards and attaches to a waist band that will be worn during the study. A sensor on the finger will be used to monitor oxygen levels and a nasal cannula will be worn under the nose to measure air flow. No oxygen will be provided.
The patient will wear the equipment for one or two nights, depending on instructions from their provider or insurance company. After the study is done, the device will be picked back up, or the patient will be required to mail it back if it was mailed to them.
If no data was recorded because of patient error or a malfunction with the equipment, the study will be repeated.
How does a home sleep study work?
How to use your SleepImage device
How to use your NOX device
Treatment Options & DME Info
Do I need to be on a CPAP machine?
CPAP therapy is a very common treatment option for Obstructive Sleep Apnea however, like all treatments, it doesn't work in all cases, so other treatment options are available.
What other treatments are available?
Not all of these treatments are recommended in all cases, so please consult with your physician about what options would work in your case.
Options Include:
Oral/Dental Appliance from a Dentist
Where do I get DME supplies?
If you want your insurance company to pay for the supplies, you will most likely have to go back to the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) company that provided you with your machine/supplies when you started. If you have different insurance now, or it has been a while, you may be able to select a new DME company. Your insurance company can provide you with more details.
If you don't have insurance, or want to pay cash you can find several online companies that will sell you the supplies. Depending on what you need, you may still have to have a prescription for the supplies or equipment. Purchasing used equipment on eBay or similar sites is not recommended as faulty equipment can case major medical problems.