The High Cost of Sleep Apnea
An extensive study conducted by the Harvard University Medical School estimated that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) costs Americans up to $165 billion dollars a year. These costs include:
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Hidden health care costs
- Traffic accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Loss of productivity
Don’t Ignore Sleep Your Sleep Apnea
Fortunately, people are becoming more and more aware that sleep apnea is a serious condition that requires medical attention. Yes, some people still mistakenly believe that sleep apnea is simply a synonym for snoring. But we’re becoming more informed about the dangers of ignoring sleep apnea.
It’s essential that we continue to publicize sleep apnea for two reasons:
- Ignoring sleep apnea can have serious health consequences
- Sleep apnea is a treatable condition
Sleep analyst Cheryl Holbrook says, “You don’t want to walk around with untreated sleep apnea, because it wreaks havoc on your body.” Holbrook maintains that sleep apnea isn’t likely to get better without medical intervention. Instead, “It’s going to start breaking your body down little by little.”
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Many of the estimated 22 million Americans who have sleep apnea don’t even know they are suffering from a detrimental medical condition. That’s why it’s so important to provide patients with a convenient, effective, and affordable way to find out if they suffer from sleep apnea.
Until recently, the only way to get an accurate diagnosis of sleep apnea was to undergo a test called a Polysomnography (PSG). But a polysomnography must be administered by a qualified technician in a clinical setting.
A Polysomnography can be costly and inconvenient for many patients, particularly if they live far away from the nearest available testing facility. Plus, many patients find it difficult to fall asleep in a laboratory, which can complicate the process.
The Advantages of a Home Sleep Test
Fortunately, Dr. Garceau offers an alternative for people who might be discouraged by the high cost and inconvenience of a PSG. A Home Sleep Test (HST) is portable device that the patient can use in the privacy and comfort of their own home. Then the patient simply returns the HST device so their results can be recorded and diagnosed.
Patients appreciate the advantages of using an HST to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea:
- Patients don’t need to travel to a clinic
- The device is easy to carry and simple to use
- Patients can take the test in a safe and private setting
- It generally costs about ⅓ as much as a PSG
Your Sleep Apnea Dentist in Windsor, CT
The first thing you should do if you think you might be suffering from sleep apnea is visit Dr. Roberta Garceau in Windsor. Our Hartford dentist will review your unique situation and help determine which type of sleep apnea test is right for you.
And if you are suffering from sleep apnea, Dr. Garceau will make sure you get the treatment you require. There’s no reason to wait. Get in touch with us right away.