Understanding how you sleep can help determine if you have sleep apnea. One of the devices commonly used to check for sleep apnea is a pulse oximeter, or ‘pulse ox’ for short. This device measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. If your blood oxygen levels are low while sleeping, you might have sleep apnea.
While the polysomnography (PSG) sleep study is the gold standard for diagnosis, you can also use an at-home sleep study test kit for apnea as an initial screening tool or the Oura Ring or Fitbit for some helpful preliminary sleep data.
Sleep Apnea and Low Blood Oxygen
It’s normal for your blood oxygen level to drop slightly when you sleep. This is because as you move through the different stages of slumber, you experience periods of slow or shallow breathing and even pauses in breath. That said, your blood oxygen level should ideally stay between 95% and 100% even when you’re asleep.
Sleep apnea may cause prolonged or repeated gaps in breathing during sleep, which may decrease your blood oxygen level. If it falls below 92% while asleep, it becomes a cause for concern and generally requires medical intervention. Alarmingly, this could adversely affect your tissues and organs, especially if your blood oxygen level falls below 88% and becomes a condition referred to as sleep-related hypoxemia.
How Does a Pulse Ox Work for Sleep Apnea?
One of the ways sleep apnea is determined in patients is with overnight pulse oximetry. This involves wearing a clamp-like device, called an ‘oximeter,’ on the tip of your index finger. It’s not painful to wear and it can be easily removed. An oximeter measures and monitors your oxygen saturation.
To measure overnight oxygen levels, the oximeter is connected via a cable to a small recording device. This generates a graph that can be analyzed by your doctor or sleep specialist. If they see low blood oxygen levels caused by sleep apnea, they may prescribe a sleep apnea oxygen concentrator.
Why Use a Pulse Ox to Detect Sleep Apnea
A pulse ox is just one of several tests that can indicate if you have sleep apnea. Comprehensive sleep studies, such as a PSG, include pulse oximetry tests. These tests can also be done as standalone assessments without medical supervision. They’re convenient and inexpensive.
You can buy overnight pulse oximetry devices online or from your local pharmacy at an affordable price. However, a pulse ox only provides a limited amount of information, which might not be enough to accurately diagnose sleep apnea because it can’t detect all the elements involved in the disorder.
Enhance Natural Sleep With Sleep Apnea Solution
Ensuring proper breathing during sleep is an important approach to addressing sleep apnea. Our book, Sleep Apnea Solution, includes guides and breathing exercises that can help you enhance natural sleep. It also offers tips on how to deal with symptoms of sleep apnea, such as improving your circadian rhythm, creating a sleep-conducive environment, and being mindful about your nutrition!
