A sleep study is a medical procedure that 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. 

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 suspects 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, a sleep technologist will greet you. 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 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, the technologist, who will be continuously monitoring your sleep in a separate room throughout the night, will digitally record your sleep patterns. 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.

helpmesleep@enterprisesleep.com

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