Pacific Sleep Labs

Sleep Study

A sleep study (also called a polysomnography) is a test that records your physical state during various stages of sleep and wakefulness. It provides data that are essential in evaluating sleep and sleep-related complaints, such as identifying sleep stages, body position, blood oxygen levels, respiratory events, muscle tone, heart rate, amount of snoring and general sleep behavior.

After your arrive at the sleep center, you may be asked to complete a questionnaire on your sleep the night before.
After changing, a technician will connect you to the electrodes that will record your brain waves and muscle movements throughout the night. The electrodes are placed in specific areas and applied with water-soluble glue and tape. The electrodes record brain waves, muscle movement, rapid eye movement (REM), air intake, and periodic limb movement. A microphone attached to your neck records snoring, and two belt-like straps around the chest and lower abdomen monitor movement during breathing. Despite all of the equipment, most people say it doesn't disrupt their sleep.

After settling into bed, your technician will ask you to perform certain tasks that will show the electrodes are recording properly. When everything is working properly, the lights will be turned off and you can go to sleep. Many patients are so chronically tired that they have no problem falling asleep. While you are sleeping, your brain waves will be recorded to determine when you are awake or in stages 1, 2, 3, 4 or REM sleep. You will be awakened in the morning and the electrodes will be removed. Since they are applied with water-soluble glue or tape, removal isn't painful. You will need to make an appointment with a sleep specialist to review the results of your study. You might be asked to complete a questionnaire concerning your sleep the previous night, and then you can go home.

Based on the results of your sleep study, you may be given treatment for a specific sleep disorder. For example, patients with sleep apnea may be prescribed Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP, which is a device that gently blows air into your nasal passages to keep the airway open while you are asleep.

Here is a checklist of items to bring for your sleep test: nightgown, pajamas or any comfortable sleep wear, preferably with a button-down front.

• Your favorite pillow or blanket. Sleep centers provide bedding including sheets, blankets and pillows, but yours may help you sleep better.

• Toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush or comb.

• Clothes for the following day.

• Any needed medications.

• A book or other reading material.

List of things to do the day of your test
1. Wash and dry your hair on the day of your sleep test. Try not to use any hair products, such as gels, hairsprays or heavy conditioners, because it may prevent the electrodes from sticking to your scalp.

2. Remove nail polish and/or artificial nails from at least two fingers. The oximeter that is placed on your finger to monitor blood oxygen levels reads this information through the nail, so any polish or acrylic will not provide an accurate reading.

3. Do not wear make-up. Some electrodes are on the face, so this area must be clean in order to get a good connection.

4. Generally, you are asked to obtain a normal night's sleep before the test, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. Continue to take your regular medications and limit caffeine intake the day of your test.