What to Expect Before a Sleep Study? – Day Of the Study A desaturation to 86 percent is mild, a reduction to 80 to 85 percent is moderate, and a drop to 79 percent or less is severe. The associated drops in blood oxygen levels, known as desaturations, are also measured and categorized. An index of 15 to 30 is moderate, and anything higher than 30 is severe. An index of 5 to 14 indicates a mild level of breathing–and sleep–disturbance. This latter number is referred to as either the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) or the respiratory disturbance index. This results in lesser amounts of oxygen in your bloodstream.Ī sleep study will also record a nighttime total and an index of events per hour. Do not drink alcohol or caffeine too close to your sleep studyĪ sleep study will monitor and record when episodes of sleep apnea occur. Sleep apnea causes the soft structures in the back of the throat to collapse into the airway.There are a few things you can do to help yourself be more comfortable during your sleep study, including: What Steps Can Increase Comfort During a Sleep Study? Try to make your sleeping environment as comfortable as you can while you are going through the sleep study.These substances can interfere with the electrodes used to measure and monitor your sleep patterns. Avoid using hair sprays, hair gels, or oils on the day of the sleep study.Napping can leave you too awake to complete the sleep study successfully. This will help you fall asleep faster during the study. Try to schedule the sleep study around your typical bedtime.These items can help you feel more comfortable as the sleep study time approaches. Pack an overnight bag with things you use with your everyday bedtime routines such as a toothbrush and toothpaste and pajamas and a favorite blanket.Avoid any caffeinated beverages or alcohol before the test as these substances can affect the results.Be sure to discuss the medications you are taking with the sleep study techs beforehand.These sensors are connected to wires that connect to a computer for proper monitoring. What Equipment is Used During a Sleep Study?Īt an in-lab sleep study, a technician or other healthcare professional will hook you up to several sensors, placed all over your body. Difficulty concentrating or memory problems.Gasping for air in the middle of the night.Be aware of the telltale signs of sleep apnea including: However, most people may not recognize their symptoms as those of a sleep disorder. What Does a Sleep Study Diagnose?Ī sleep study diagnoses various sleep disorders including:Īnyone who experiences difficulty sleeping should take a sleep study. Erratic patterns in the data can suggest a sleep disorder. The doctor compares these measurements to normal sleep pattern standards. The in-lab sleep test, also known as a polysomnogram (PSG) test, records brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and body movements while you sleep.

In comparison to Polysomnography, a home sleep study is easily accessible and more comfortable. Home Sleep StudyĪ home sleep study gathers the data associated with an individual’s heart rate, breathing rate, and various other factors. Polysomnography typically includes the involvement of an individual technician, who monitors the patient and looks for various factors like muscle and brain activity, airflow, respiratory effort, blood oxygen level, eye movement, heart rate, snoring, body movements and positioning. The multiple sleep latency test is undertaken to check whether the patient is suffering from excessive sleepiness during the daytime, which might be the result of idiopathic hypersomnia or narcolepsy. The multiple sleep latency test monitors how fast an individual falls asleep and enters REM. What Are The Different Types Of Sleep Studies? Multiple Sleep Latency Test The in-lab study tracks data like a heartbeat, brain waves, rate of breathing, and eye as well as leg movements. An overnight sleep study measures data about the quality and quantity of sleep of an individual. This study is used in diagnosing sleep apnea. Undergoing a sleep study is an ideal way to find out whether you have a sleep disorder. Regardless of if you take an in-lab or at-home test, a sleep doctor will then evaluate the data and make a diagnosis. However, at-home sleep tests are also an option for patients who feel more comfortable taking the test in their own beds. Sleep technicians carefully monitor and gather data on your sleep patterns. In-lab sleep studies require an overnight stay in a sleep study clinic. Sleep technicians use highly-sensitive equipment to track your sleep to determine any issues that might indicate a sleep disorder.Ī sleep study is a comprehensive test that is used to diagnose sleep disorders in people. Sleep studies are critical for diagnosing sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.

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