What is a Sleep
Study?
A sleep study is a recording of
the way you sleep. Contrary to public perception, sleep is not a
passive state. Sleep can be categorized into different stages,
including drowsiness, light sleep, deep sleep, and Rapid Eye Movement
(dream) sleep. By analyzing your sleep patterns as you cycle
through each of the stages, we can determine whether a sleep disorder is
present.
Why do I need a sleep study?
What does the sleep study
involve?
What do I need to
bring for my sleep study?
Is there anything I should do before coming for my sleep study?
What happens when
I arrive for sleep study?
Should I take my
medication as usual?
What if I
can't sleep in unfamiliar surroundings?
When will I get my results?
What can be diagnosed and
treated?
Why do I need a sleep study?
A sleep study is
required to fully understand your sleep difficulties. By recording
the activities of our brain and body system as well as their
relationship throughout the night, a sleep specialist can review and
interpret your data to determine whether a sleep disorder is present and
recommend appropriate treatment if necessary.
What does the sleep study
involve?
Your sleep study
will involve:
-
The attachment
of tiny sensors called electrodes to various parts of your body to
monitor brain waves, muscle movements, eye movements, breathing
through the mouth and nose, snoring, heart rate, and leg movements
-
An elastic
band around your chest and abdomen to measure breathing
-
A clip on your
finger to measure your heart rate and oxygen level in the blood
In certain cases,
a camera is used to videotape sleep. This is useful in the
detection of any movement abnormalities occasioned during sleep.
You will be informed of these by your sleep technologist if required.
What do I need to
bring for my sleep study?
We generally ask
that you pack an overnight bag, as you would if you were planning to
spend the night at a hotel or friend's house. Please advise the
sleep technologist of any special requirements you might have.
Other items to
bring include:
-
The long
questionnaire
-
Your own
toiletries, pajamas, or very simple sleepwear (cotton--not silk or
slick fabric)
-
If you take
any maintenance medicine, you must bring your own medication with
you. This is an outpatient test, so you will have to
administer your medication yourself (including insulin)
-
Reading
material--a television is available in your private room so you may
watch TV
-
Please bring
your own pillow
Is there anything I should do before coming for my sleep study?
-
Do not drink
alcohol on the day of the test.
-
Do not drink
caffeine. If you must drink caffeine, please have only one
beverage with caffeine before 11:00am.
-
Do not take
any naps.
-
Try to
maintain your regular daytime routine.
-
Have a shower,
and remember not to apply hair sprays, oils, or gels.
-
Remove all
makeup.
-
Ensure all
fingernails are free of nail polish and artificial nails.
-
Try to limit
your liquids on the day of the test.
What happens when
I arrive for sleep study?
Please park in the
Emergency Room parking lot and enter the hospital at the Emergency Room
entrance. Register at the Emergency Room main desk.
A sleep
technologist will show you to your room. You will be given the
opportunity to ask questions. You should also inform your sleep
technologist of any changes in your sleep or specific difficulties you
have not already discussed. The sleep technologist will then leave
the room to prepare your sleep study, giving you the opportunity to
change into your nightclothes and prepare for bed.
Remember to inform
your sleep technologist prior to your study if you have any commitments
in the morning, so that a wake-up call can be arranged.
All that is
required next is for you to simply sleep. Your sleep technologist will
monitor and measure your body functions and measurements from a nearby
room. If at any stage you require assistance, an intercom will be
available for you to speak with the technologist.
Should I take my
medication as usual?
It is essential
that you inform your physician of any prescribed or over-the-counter
medication you are taking, as certain medications can affect sleep and
sleep study results. In some cases, certain medications need to be
discontinued gradually prior to a sleep study so that the results can be
interpreted correctly. Remember, do not discontinue any
prescription medication without first talking to your physician.
What if I
can't sleep in unfamiliar surroundings?
This is the most
common question asked by patients. While we recognize that your
sleep at our center may not be exactly like your sleep at home, we have
gone to great lengths to ensure that our sleep study rooms are homey and
comfortable.
As strange as it
may seem to have electrodes attached to your body, most people do not
find them uncomfortable or an obstacle to falling asleep. Even
though you may not have the same quality or quantity of sleep you would
get if at home, this usually does not interfere with obtaining the
necessary information from your study.
When will I get my results?
The analysis and
interpretation of a sleep study is a complex process involving a variety
of specially-trained professionals. Apart from our dedicated sleep
specialist who reviews and interprets the final results, we also have
specially trained sleep technologists that process or "score" the
copious amounts of data recorded during the study. On the average,
this involves sifting through more than 1,000 pages of data.
What can be diagnosed and
treated?
The number of
sleep disorders identified by sleep experts runs into the hundreds.
Below is the list of the most common ones.
OBSTRUCTIVE
SLEEP APNEA (OSA) - a condition characterized by choking and a
cessation of breathing for as long as two minutes. Common symptoms
include loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness.
SNORING
- though usually nothing more than any annoyance, repetitive or loud
snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea.
CHRONIC
INSOMNIA - an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for a
period of two weeks or more. This is often caused by a psychiatric
problem or an underlying medical condition such as sleep apnea, periodic
limb movements or the misuse of sleeping pills.
NARCOLEPSY
- a serious disorder that causes a person to fall asleep without
warning, at inappropriate times many times a day. It can often
come as a result of becoming angry or surprised.
RESTLESS LEG
SYNDROME - a condition characterized by voluntary leg movements
in response to uncomfortable "tingling" sensations in one or both legs.
The symptoms are felt mostly at night, making sleep more difficult.
Relief is found by moving the legs.
SHIFT WORK
SLEEP DISORDER - irregular work shift hours often lead to sleep
deprivation and insomnia, negatively affecting a person's ability to
concentrate and perform.
SLEEPWALKING
- behavior that causes a person to subconsciously get out of bed and
walk around.
NOCTURNAL
SEIZURES - abnormal movements during sleep that can often be due
to treatable epileptic seizures.
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