Things You Should Know About Sleep Study Otherwise Known as Polysomnogram

Sleep study is also known as Polysomnogram.

It is an overnight recording of sleep pattern and behaviors associated with sleep.

It is essential to determine what stages of sleep an individual achieves and whether there are any sleep-related abnormalities.

Polysomnogram Test Procedure

In this procedure, to record brain waves, eye movements, muscle tone, body movements, heart rate, and breathing several sensors are applied with glue or tape to the body’s surface. Audiovisual recordings are made also to view later for study. None of the sensors used are painful or harmful.

With the simple clip on the index finger, even the oxygen content of the blood is measured painlessly. There are connecting wires to the sensors, but you are free to get up and walk about as needed.

Every attempt is made to let you have a normal night’s sleep during the sleep study, well as normal as can be considering you are wired with wires and patches and plugs.

Some people typically sleep better when away from home, while others sleep worse, but generally, the results or the value of the sleep study are going to be get effected in either case.

The sleep laboratory has a home like, bedroom like atmosphere with a television and a VCR or DVD player. You can bring your favorite pillow and you can wear your own bedclothes anything else you normally sleep with.

You can even shower in the morning. A trained sleep technologist generally explains all of the recording sensors during its application. He or she is stationed outside the bedroom all night to both monitor the sleep recording and make sure you are comfortable.

What can you expect before the sleep study?

A sleep specialist will interview you about your sleep habits during the initial sleep consultation. The specialist uses your personal and medical history to evaluate symptoms such as

• Difficulty staying asleep
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Daytime fatigue
• Daytime sleepiness
• Restless legs at night
• Breathing problems in sleep
• Other troublesome behaviors

The sleep specialist may recommend the overnight sleep test, known as a Polysomnogram, to further evaluate your sleep habits.

Both diagnosis and treatment of a breathing problem can be accomplished in a single night in some cases.

Just like during the polysomnogram, sensors that measure brain waves, eye movements, muscle tone, breathing patterns and blood oxygen levels are applied to your skin using paste and tape.

The technologist carefully monitors the sleep diagnostic equipment for any sign of disrupted breathing during sleep once you are asleep in your private sleep room.

The technologist will apply CPAP during the second half of the test if there are any interruptions in your breathing such as sleep apnea are seen.

CPAP

CPAP machine is the most effective and widely used method of treating sleep apnea. It gently sends air while you are sleeping into your airway through a specially designed mask that fits over your nose and mouth.

This creates enough pressure to keep the airway open and produce instant relief from sleep apnea and snoring.

The CPAP device does not breathe for you. You can breathe at a normal rate. Most people after a few minutes they get used to the mask and they have little difficulty sleeping with it on.

The technologist is trained in using the CPAP apparatus and can answer most questions and concerns that may arise during your study. Feel free to ask him any questions you may have

Multiple Sleep Latency Test

Some people have problems with daytime sleepiness or fall asleep at improper times. Your doctor may send you to the sleep disorders center for the MSLT or Multiple Sleep Latency Test if you suffer from these symptoms.

MSLT consists of five scheduled nap recordings during which you will be allowed to sleep for a brief period. The MSLT is conducted on the day after an overnight polysomnogram.

After your Polysomnogram some of the sensors will be removed in the morning and you’ll have the opportunity to change your clothes and freshen up before first scheduled nap recording.

The naps are scheduled with time gap of two hours, with the first one occurring about two hours after you wake up in the morning. The technologist will monitor your sleep/wake patterns during the naps.

You will be free to move about in between naps, but you will have to stay awake. A television, VCR, and a DVD player, and some magazines are available in the sleep center and you may wish to bring along something else to do.

In general, the nap tests of MSLT will be completed before 7:00 p.m. These tests are usually pretty simple and can get you back to sleeping normal again.