Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:29 When does a sleep specialist recommend a sleep study?
0:48 What happens during a sleep study?
Sleep Studies: Everything You Need to Know
Have you ever woken up feeling tired or groggy, despite getting what you thought was a full night’s rest? Do you struggle with falling or staying asleep, or experience disruptive snoring or sleep apnea? If so, you might benefit from a sleep study.
Sleep studies, also known as polysomnography, are diagnostic tests that monitor your body’s physiological responses during sleep. They can help identify underlying sleep disorders and guide treatment options to improve your sleep quality and overall health.
In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about sleep studies, including what they are, why they’re done, what to expect during the test, and how to prepare.
What is a Sleep Study?
A sleep study is a non-invasive diagnostic test that monitors your body’s physiological responses during sleep. It typically involves spending a night in a sleep lab, where sensors and electrodes are placed on your scalp, face, chest, limbs, and fingers to record various measurements while you sleep.
These measurements may include:
Brain activity (EEG)
Eye movements (EOG)
Muscle activity (EMG)
Heart rate and rhythm (ECG)
Breathing patterns (chest and abdominal movements, airflow, oxygen saturation)
The data collected during a sleep study can help diagnose various sleep disorders, such as:
Obstructive sleep apnea
Central sleep apnea
Restless legs syndrome
Narcolepsy
Insomnia
Parasomnias (e.g. sleepwalking, night terrors)
Why are Sleep Studies Done?
Sleep studies are done to diagnose and monitor various sleep disorders that can negatively impact your health, quality of life, and productivity. Some of the reasons why sleep studies are done include:
Chronic snoring
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Insomnia or difficulty falling/staying asleep
Nightmares or night terrors
Restless legs syndrome or periodic limb movements
Sleepwalking or other parasomnias
Suspected sleep apnea or other breathing-related sleep disorders
Unexplained seizures or other neurological symptoms during sleep
What to Expect During a Sleep Study
If your healthcare provider recommends a sleep study, you’ll likely be referred to a sleep center or lab that specializes in sleep medicine. There, a sleep technician will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have.
Before the test, you’ll be asked to complete a sleep history questionnaire and a physical exam to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may affect the results of the study. You may also be asked to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and certain medications for a period before the test.
During the test, you’ll be asked to change into comfortable sleepwear and lie down in a private room that resembles a bedroom. The technician will attach sensors and electrodes to your scalp, face, chest, limbs, and fingers using adhesive pads, wires, and belts. These sensors will record various physiological measurements while you sleep, but they won’t cause any pain or discomfort.
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