Sleep Study

A sleep study, commonly referred to as polysomnography, is a test that evaluates and records several physiological processes as you sleep, such as,  breathing rate, blood oxygen, heart rate, brain waves, leg movements, eye movements. A sleep study is conducted to diagnose Sleep Apnea, Insomnia, Restless Leg Syndrome, Narcolepsy.

SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP DISORDER:

The doctor may recommend polsomnography if he/she suspects you have these following symptoms:

• Loud snoring  during sleep
• Waking up from sleep and gasping for breath.
• Trouble falling asleep/ staying asleep
• Daytime sleepiness

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A SLEEP STUDY:

A sleep study is mainly done in a special lab in hospital or at a sleep center. Generally, a patient prefers a place where he/she can feel safe in while sleeping. This is why the doctors prefer a special unit where it mainly caontins a T.V. multiple beds, a bathroom and other amenities that proves to be comfortable and soothing for a human being. Being in comfort zone is a very important aspect in this examination/study.

The process starts with you arriving into the clinic/centre during the evening hours. Since you have to stay overnight, you are allowed to bring in your own sleep clothes/ whichever clothes you are comfortable in. A room replicated just like a private bedroom , equipped with night vision cameras/ low light cameras will be provided to you. The camera is used to then capture your sleep movements and patterns during the night. To monitor your heart rate, breathing rate, brainwaves, electrodes (small metal disks) will be attached to your scalps, eyelids, chin, chest, and legs. The electrodes will be connected to computers with wires and will be long enough to not disturb you during your sleep and to move freely while sleeping. A small clip will also be placed on your finger/ear to monitor the  oxygen level in your blood (pulse oximetry). If the doctor/ sleep technician suspects of your shallow breathing, a breathing mask will be given to you before going to sleep. After all the procedures are done, a specially trained sleep technicians called polysomnography technologists, throughout the night will be monitoring your breathing, heart rate and other body functions. If any discomforts occur during the night, you may contact with these technologists.

After the process is completed in the morning, the equipments attached to your skin will be removed once the test is done and acknowledged.

THINGS NEEDED TO BE DONE FOR PREPARATION FOR SLEEP STUDY:

For best and accurate results, you need to keep certain things in mind:

• Avoid alcohol and caffeine before the test.
• Do not take naps throughout the day of the test.
• Do not apply lotions, hair gel, or makeups before the test as it may cause hindrance in perfect results/readings of the equipment that are to be attached to your skin.
• If you are prescribed any routine medicines, refer to the doctor in charge of the test if the medicine is suitable to be consumed before the test or not.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE STUDY:

The information gathered by the study is evaluated by the polysomnography technologist for evaluating the sleep pattern and movement and then passed on to the clinic doctor for final review. The doctor then, in a follow-up appointment, will be advising any treatment or further evaluation if needed.