Sleep medicine guides
Plain answers to the questions people ask before a sleep study.
CBT-I for insomnia: how it works
CBT-I stands for cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. It is not simply relaxation or “sleep hygiene”; it is a treatment plan designed to help a person sleep more...
Central vs obstructive sleep apnea: key differences
With **obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)**, the throat muscles relax during sleep and the airway narrows or closes. The chest and diaphragm continue trying to move, sometimes...
CPAP alternatives: what works when CPAP does not
The table below compares common alternatives by the situations in which they are most often considered. Availability, insurance coverage, candidacy, and response vary by person.
CPAP machine cost without insurance
A basic auto-adjusting CPAP, or APAP, machine often falls within a broad self-pay range of about $300 to $1,000 or more. A fixed-pressure CPAP may be less expensive, while...
Does Insurance Cover Sleep Studies?
Yes, insurance often covers sleep studies when a clinician determines that the test is medically necessary and the provider meets the insurer’s requirements. Coverage varies...
Excessive daytime sleepiness: causes and red flags
Excessive daytime sleepiness is difficulty staying awake during normal waking hours, and it may result from inadequate sleep, sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disorders,...
Home sleep test vs in-lab sleep study: which do you need?
A home sleep test lets you sleep at home while portable equipment measures breathing-related signals. An in-lab study, also called polysomnography, takes place overnight at a...
How much does a sleep study cost?
A sleep study often costs several hundred to several thousand dollars in the United States before insurance, depending on the type of test, where it is performed, and your...
How much sleep do you need by age?
Most adults need at least **7 hours of sleep per day**, while children and teenagers need more because their bodies are still developing. The right amount varies by age,...
How to choose a sleep clinic
Choosing the right sleep clinic means finding providers who treat your specific symptoms, offer appropriate testing, accept your insurance, and have experience with your...
Insomnia vs sleep apnea: how to tell the difference
Insomnia and sleep apnea are different sleep disorders, although one person can have both. Insomnia usually involves difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting...
Menopause and sleep: why nights get harder
Menopause can make sleep feel lighter, more interrupted, or less restorative, especially because hot flashes, night sweats, urinary urgency, and changing hormone levels can...
Morning headaches and sleep apnea
Morning headaches can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, especially when they occur with loud snoring, breathing pauses, or unrefreshing sleep. However, morning...
Narcolepsy symptoms and when to see a specialist
Narcolepsy symptoms include overwhelming daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep attacks, disrupted nighttime sleep, and sometimes temporary muscle weakness triggered by emotion....
Oral appliance vs CPAP for sleep apnea
CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, delivers room air through a hose and a face mask while you sleep. The air pressure keeps the upper airway open so breathing does...
Signs of sleep apnea in children
Sleep apnea in children often appears as a cluster of nighttime and daytime signs. The most recognizable sign is frequent, loud snoring, especially during sleep. Other signs...
Sleep apnea and driving: the drowsy driving risk
Sleep apnea and driving is a real safety concern because untreated sleep apnea can cause daytime sleepiness, reduced attention, and slower reaction time. The drowsy driving...
Sleep apnea symptoms in adults
Sleep apnea symptoms commonly include loud snoring, breathing pauses or gasping during sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Because the most noticeable signs often happen...
Sleep study: what to expect on the night
A sleep study usually takes place overnight at a sleep center while you sleep normally with small sensors attached to your body. At **what to expect at a sleep study**, the...