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A sleep study is a medical procedure
which offers a diagnostic evaluation of your sleep. The purpose of the
study, known as a polysomnography (PSG), is to monitor your sleep throughout
the night with a series of measurements that can determine
what, if any, medical conditions may be interrupting your sleep and causing
you to be sleepy during the day.
If you have been scheduled for a
sleep study, you will receive forms necessary to complete before your
study. by contacting your local Sleep Center. You can ask for the
forms to be sent to you by mail or by email.
Why should I get a sleep study?
If
you are tired during the day, or you are not able to get a "good night's
sleep" on a regular basis, you may want to have a sleep study to find out
why. For instance, perhaps you or your primary care physician suspect
that your snoring is not just a nuisance, but may actually be awakening you
during your sleep and interfering with normal sleep patterns. A sleep
study can confirm this, or rule it out. A sleep study can also
determine if you have episodes of restricted or obstructed breathing, which
can also awaken you during the night and interfere with a good night's
sleep. A sleep study can identify specific medical reasons that
may be causing you to experience poor sleep and be tired during the day on a
regular basis.
Why should I go to a sleep
specialist?
Sleep specialists are physicians who are board certified in the field of
sleep medicine. In addition to their primary medical specialty, sleep
specialists are trained to review your medical history and the results of
your overnight sleep study. Based on this information, the sleep
specialist can determine if you do have a sleep disorder and offer you and
your primary care physician a number of treatment options.
What is the first thing I
need to do?
Contact the nearest
Sleep Center and
speak with the staff to arrange a convenient evening for your overnight
sleep study. This is also a good time to ask the staff to review your
insurance information and any authorization for the study. Once the
study has been confirmed, you will be sent a "Patient Information Packet,"
or PIP to complete.
Why do I need to complete a
"Patient Information Packet" or PIP?
The
PIP provides a brief history of your symptoms, which is helpful as our
sleep specialists review your sleep study. Once you have made an
appointment, we can mail, fax
or email a copy for you to complete prior to your study.
What do I wear or bring with me on the night of the study?
There are a few things we ask all our patients to do prior to the
study:
1. Please shower and wash your hair before
coming to the Sleep Center.
2. Please do not put hair spray or oils on
your hair.
3. Please keep makeup to a minimum.
4. Bring pajamas or nightclothes with you.
5. You are welcome to bring your own pillow
and reading materials.
6. You are welcome to bring a snack with
you.
What happens on the night of the
study?
 Once you arrive at the Sleep Center, you will be
greeted by a sleep technologist, or "tech." The sleep tech will show
you your private bedroom and then escort you to the "hook up" room.
Here is where several small sensors will be placed on your scalp, face,
chest, abdomen and legs. The "hook-up" is a non-invasive, painless
procedure, as the sensors are attached with a very mild glue that washes off
in the morning. The purpose of the sensors is to monitor your eye movements,
muscle activity, brain waves, heart rate, airflow, respiratory effort, and
oxygen levels throughout the entire night--all of which help us better
understand the nature of your medical condition in assessing your diagnosis
and treatment options.
You will then be taken to your private room to sleep. As you sleep,
your sleep patterns will be digitally recorded by the technologist, who will
be continuously monitoring your sleep in a separate room throughout the
night. The technologist will be available to assist you at any time.
If you have any questions about the procedures,
please feel free to call us prior to the study or speak to the technologist
upon your arrival. Our staff will do everything possible to make you
comfortable prior to and during your stay at the Sleep Center. Please
keep in mind, however, that technologists are not at liberty to discuss your
test results or make treatment recommendations.
Your referring physician will receive a report
from our sleep specialist with his/her diagnostic evaluation and treatment
recommendations within 3-5 working days of the study.
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