Why am I so tired / Do I have sleep apnoea?
Do you snore, wake up exhausted, or suspect sleep apnoea?
Find out what's happening while you sleep — from your own bed.
Do you sometimes ask yourself these questions.....
Why am I exhausted all the time?
Why does my partner say I stop breathing?
Do I have sleep apnoea?
Do I snore terribly?
Why might you be tired even after a full night's sleep?
If you regularly wake feeling exhausted, struggle to stay awake during the day, or have been told that you snore or stop breathing during sleep, sleep apnoea could be one possible explanation.
Sleep apnoea causes repeated interruptions to breathing during sleep. These interruptions can affect your sleep quality without you necessarily remembering waking up.
Common signs include:
- Loud or persistent snoring
- Gasping, choking or pauses in breathing during sleep
- Waking with a dry mouth or headache
- Feeling tired despite getting enough hours of sleep
- Daytime sleepiness or difficulty concentrating
- Poor-quality or restless sleep
The only way to know whether sleep apnoea is affecting you is to be properly assessed and tested.
Home Sleep Testing — from $135
NZ-wide • No clinic overnight stay
What is a Home Sleep Test?
A home sleep test records important information about what happens while you sleep, including breathing and oxygen levels. Depending on the test used, it can also provide information about sleep patterns, heart rate and snoring.
You complete the test at home, rather than spending the night in a sleep laboratory.
Just four simple steps
How does it work?
1. Order your test
Choose the test that's right for you.
2. Receive it at home
We deliver your testing equipment and instructions.
3. Sleep normally
Set up the device before bed and sleep in your own bed.
4. Get your results
We analyse your recorded data and explain your results, with guidance on what to do next, during a free consultation with one of our team.
Which sleep test is right for me?
| If you… | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Snore / feel tired / want an affordable first test | Home Sleep Test |
| Want more advanced testing | WatchPAT ONE Advanced |
| Aren't sure whether you need testing | Free Sleep Assessment |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a home sleep test?
A home sleep test is an overnight assessment that records information about what happens while you sleep. Depending on the test used, this can include breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, snoring and other measures associated with sleep-disordered breathing.
You complete the test in your own bed, so you can sleep in a familiar environment rather than spending the night in a sleep clinic. Qualified sleep professionals can then review your results to help determine whether sleep apnoea may be affecting your sleep.
2. Can I test for sleep apnoea at home?
Yes. For many people, an appropriate home sleep test can assess sleep apnoea.
A home sleep test allows you to record your sleep-related breathing in your normal sleeping environment. It can provide useful information about breathing interruptions, oxygen levels and other signs associated with obstructive sleep apnoea.
A sleep professional can help determine whether a home sleep test is suitable for you and what the results mean. If your symptoms or circumstances require a different type of assessment, you may be advised to seek further clinical evaluation.
3. How does a sleep apnoea test work?
A sleep apnoea test monitors specific signals while you sleep to look for patterns that may indicate sleep-disordered breathing.
With a home sleep test, you generally set up the equipment before going to bed and wear the sensors while you sleep. The device records the required information overnight, and the data is then analysed and reviewed.
The results can help identify signs consistent with obstructive sleep apnoea and whether further assessment or treatment may be appropriate.
4. How accurate is a home sleep test?
Home sleep tests can effectively assess people who may have obstructive sleep apnoea, particularly when the test is appropriately selected and an experienced sleep professional interprets the results.
However, no sleep test is perfect. A home test may not detect every sleep disorder, and factors such as equipment use and recording quality can affect the results. Our multi-night home sleep tests are designed to be as accurate as possible by recording your sleep for several nights.
If your symptoms strongly suggest sleep apnoea but your home test doesn't provide a clear answer, your doctor may recommend further clinical assessment or an alternative sleep study.
5. Can snoring be a sign of sleep apnoea?
Yes. Loud or persistent snoring can be one of the signs associated with obstructive sleep apnoea, although snoring does not necessarily mean that you have sleep apnoea.
It is more concerning when snoring occurs alongside symptoms such as:
- pauses in breathing noticed by a partner
- gasping or choking during sleep
- waking frequently during the night
- morning headaches or a dry mouth
- acid relux during the night
- feeling tired despite getting enough sleep
- excessive daytime sleepiness
- difficulty concentrating
If you regularly snore and are experiencing these symptoms, a sleep assessment can help determine whether sleep apnoea testing is appropriate.
6. How much does a home sleep test cost?
At AwakeNZ, Home Sleep Testing starts from $135.
The cost depends on the type of test that is appropriate for your circumstances. AwakeNZ also offers more advanced home testing options for people who may require additional information.
If you're not sure which test is right for you, you can start with the free AwakeNZ Sleep Assessment before choosing a test.
7. What happens after my sleep test?
Once your overnight recording is complete, the device analyses and reviews the information collected.
In about 10 days you will receive your results and an explanation of what they mean. If the results indicate signs of sleep apnoea, the next step may include discussing treatment options or whether further assessment is appropriate. We offer a free telehealth consultation with a member of our team to discuss the results and what they mean for you.
The important thing is that the test isn't the end of the process — it's a way to get a clearer understanding of what's happening while you sleep and what you should do next.