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My Loved One Has A Health Condition That I Fear

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Posted on Thu, 16 May 2019
Question: My loved one has a health condition that I fear might take her life before the end of the year. I just want her to be comfortable while she sleeps and I don’t want her to take the Sleep Apnea IN- LAB test. So we opted out and took the IN-HOME test if I put on the hardware will it show the opposite gender for the results? r question here...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
The results are dependent on the correct use of the machine, the gender should not be an issue

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,

I carefully read your query and understand your concerns with the risks that sleep apnea can have on the health of your loved one.

The IN-HOME test is quite good to examine if there is sleep apnea and sleep tests might be more comfortable if done in a familiar environment as home.

The test is the same for men and women so the gender should not affect the way the machine is applied or the reading of the results.
It is important during the test, though, that the instructions on the use of the machine are followed promptly so that all the sensors are plugged correctly to enable a good reading. If sensors are not plugged well, this might result in insufficient information and need to repeat the test.

To conclude:
- the gender should not be a reason of concern as the test is done the same way in both men and women
- it is of paramount importance to closely follow the instructions on the use of the equipment to have proper results.


I hope this is helpful and answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (7 hours later)
Thank you so much, so to be clear the doctor will not know that i took the test and not my spouse? There is no way of knowing, as long as i use the machine correctly?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Very likely the doctor will not know but it is not safe to do this

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

Very likely the doctor will not know it was you instead of your wife.
On the other hand which is the point of her not having the test?
Sleep apnea does affect the lungs and the heart and needs to be diagnosed and treated properly to prevent possible complications.If she does not have the test but has sleep apnea she will not be diagnosed and treated.

It might also happen that she does not have it but you come out to have sleep apnea as patients might not be aware that they have sleep apnea and men are 10 times more likely to have it compared to women. So, in that case she might be diagnosed as having sleep apnea while she does not have it.


To conclude, I would say that there are no real benefits of you having the test instead of your wife and actually it might even be risky for her health.

I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,

Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4435 Questions

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My Loved One Has A Health Condition That I Fear

Brief Answer: The results are dependent on the correct use of the machine, the gender should not be an issue Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service, I carefully read your query and understand your concerns with the risks that sleep apnea can have on the health of your loved one. The IN-HOME test is quite good to examine if there is sleep apnea and sleep tests might be more comfortable if done in a familiar environment as home. The test is the same for men and women so the gender should not affect the way the machine is applied or the reading of the results. It is important during the test, though, that the instructions on the use of the machine are followed promptly so that all the sensors are plugged correctly to enable a good reading. If sensors are not plugged well, this might result in insufficient information and need to repeat the test. To conclude: - the gender should not be a reason of concern as the test is done the same way in both men and women - it is of paramount importance to closely follow the instructions on the use of the equipment to have proper results. I hope this is helpful and answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General & Family Physician