Definition: Overnight or home oximetry refers to a tool researchers or doctors use to find out how much oxygen your blood is carrying to the brain and body during sleep. If your body does not sustain high levels of oxygen at nighttime, then you have "hyopxia", meaning you may have sleep apnea. Your doctor may use this test to rule out other sleep disorders. Your doctor will slip a small device called an "oximeter" to your finger. This tool then uses red and infrared light to determine how much oxygen the hemoglobin in your blood is carrying. Hemoglobin is a component of your blood. This test is not always accurate when used alone, but may be used with other tests to find out whether you have a sleep disorder other than insomnia that requires proper treatment.
Pronunciation: ox-ih-meh-tree
Also Known As: home oximetry, pulse oximetry
Common Misspellings: oximitry
Examples: Many doctors use overnight oxymetry with polysomnography to diagnose sleep apnea in patients that have trouble sleeping.