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Services - Sleep Study
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What is a sleep study?
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A sleep study (also known as polysomnography) consists of a series of tests that are done while someone is sleeping. You may have heard of sleep disorders like sleep apnea, sleepwalking and restless leg syndrome. Sleep studies can help doctors prescribe treatment for different sleep disorders.
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Why does this study need to be performed?
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A sleep study is for people who may have sleep disorders. Some people complain of extreme daytime sleepiness while others may be told that they have unusual breathing patterns during sleep. You may be surprised to know that people who snore loudly may have sleep apnea.
If a certain sleep disorder can be diagnosed, effective treatment can really improve quality of life. For example, sleep apnea is very common, but many people can live normal lives if they receive the proper treatment at home.
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How is a sleep study performed?
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Sleep centers have quiet rooms where sleep studies are performed. You are usually expected to have kept up a normal sleep schedule before attending. Certain medications that may affect the results are usually stopped before the study.
Electrodes on small sticky disks are usually placed on your head, face and chest. They are used to monitor brain and heart activity. Several other devices are used to measure breathing and blood oxygen levels.
Doctors look at your brain activity to know what type of sleep you are in. During sleep, people switch between rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM). Dreaming occurs in REM sleep.
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How long does the study take?
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The study usually involves one overnight stay in a sleep study center. Sometimes it can last until the middle of the next day. If you don't sleep enough during a study, it may be repeated to collect more information.
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What are the risks?
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A sleep study is very low risk. Sometimes a small probe may be placed in the nose, but no major problems have been reported.
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