About 80% of people with sleep apnea—a condition where you repeatedly stop breathing while you’re sleeping, resulting in less oxygen to the brain—don’t know they have it. And according to a growing body of research, sleep apnea can result in an increased risk of serious medical conditions like cancer, diabetes, dementia, and depression. Despite tell-tale symptoms—like snoring, waking up with a sore throat, and daytime sleepiness—most people don’t get tested because they don’t want to have to spend the night at a sleep center, says Michael Coppola, MD, president and chief medical officer of the American Sleep Apnea Association. “It can be unnerving, and a large percentage of people don’t sleep very well when they’re attached to wires and in an unfamiliar setting,” he says. MORE: 9 Sleep Myths That Make You Tired The good news: There are a number of at-home sleep apnea tests your doctor can prescribe for you. Instead of being hooked up to tons of wires, most at-home tests only require a couple of sensors. And the results may be even more accurate than a lab test, says Coppola, since you’re more comfortable in your own bed and more apt to sleep like you normally would. Plus, it may not cost you anything. “A vast majority of insurance companies cover it,” says Coppola. And the savings to your health? Priceless. MORE:8 Things That Happen When You Quit Caffeine
