Sleep Test

10/02/2568 12:08:15 | Views: 10,611

What is a sleep study?

A sleep study is a diagnostic test that tracks and records how multiple body systems work while you’re asleep. This test involves sensors that track the activity of multiple body systems, including your heart, brain and respiratory system, giving healthcare providers a comprehensive view of the quality of your sleep.

When is a sleep study necessary?

Healthcare providers use the sleep study to diagnose or rule out health issues. Healthcare providers usually recommend this test when you have symptoms of conditions that affect sleep, to determine how to treat those conditions or to see if completed treatments worked. These are generally conditions that affect or disrupt your brain, nervous system, breathing and heart function.

Conditions that a sleep study can diagnose include:

Sleep apnea (obstructive and central).
Narcolepsy.
Periodic limb movement disorder (including restless legs syndrome).
Insomnia.
Certain types of seizures and epilepsy.
Night terrors (sleep terrors).
Nocturnal panic attacks.
Sleepwalking or other sleep behavior-related disorders.
Sleep paralysis.
Other types of parasomnias and disruptive sleep disorders.

When is a sleep study performed?

Most sleep studies take place during your normal sleeping hours. Because most people sleep during nighttime hours, facilities that perform sleep studies (known as sleep labs) schedule most people for overnight sleep studies. However, people who work overnight hours and shifts — meaning they sleep during the day — can often schedule a daytime sleep study if necessary.

Who performs a sleep study?

A sleep study involves several healthcare professionals. The people performing the sleep study are often medical technicians, technologists, assistants and nurses.

After you complete a sleep study, a respective physician will review the test records for signs of any problems. They may also work cooperatively with other providers, such as a neurologist, primary care specialist or another provider you see, to get more info about your medical history or circumstances. They may also follow up with a provider you see to share the results so both providers can provide seamless, coordinated care.

Behavior before the examination

Do not take sleeping pills or drink more coffee than usual for 2-3 days before the examination.
Do not drink alcohol 1 day before the examination.
Go to bed and wake up normally at least 1 week before the examination. Do not stay up late and avoid taking a nap 1 day before the examination.
Wash your hair clean. Do not use any conditioner or hair oil on the day of the examination (because there will be a metal electrode attached to the head to measure brain waves).

Behavior during the examination

The staff will take about 40-60 minutes to attach the examination equipment before letting the patient lie down (can lie on their side or back as usual).
You can go to the bathroom during the night by pressing the staff call button.
When examining snorers who also have sleep apnea, the doctor may prescribe a device called CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), which is an oxygen mask.

Risks and side effects of the examination

There are no risks or side effects from the examination. However, there may be cases where the examinee is not accustomed to changing their sleeping location, which may cause insomnia or poor sleep, making it impossible to interpret the test results.