Sleep Study: What You Can Expect during Your Sleep Study
Sleep Study: What is it and how does it work?
October 5, 2016Sleep Study: Why Your Doctor Wants You to Have One
October 19, 2016A sleep study is an excellent way to find out for certain if you are suffering from a sleeping disorder. However,
Hilliard Cosmetic dentist Mark Levy, D.D.S. specializes in a wide range of cosmetic dentistry techniques. At his practice, located in Hilliard, near Columbus, Ohio, Dr. Levy provides an array of cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as Americas-best-dentist porcelain veneers, headache therapy, sleep apnea, dental implants and more.
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unless you know someone who’s shared their first-hand experience of their sleep study with you, you may not be sure what to expect. We, here at Mark Levy DDS in Columbus, Ohio, have referred many patients who we believe may be suffering from a sleeping disorder to a sleep center. The information gained from the sleep study is invaluable and can greatly improve your health if you’re dealing with sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.
To help prepare our patients for their sleep study, we’ve compiled some useful information. This information goes over, in detail, what you can expect during your sleep study to help prepare you for the test. Most sleep studies take place at a sleep center, in a room that resembles a hotel room. The technicians at the sleep center work with you to ensure the room is comfortable for you. However, there are different types of sleep studies and each is a little different. We will cover the different types of sleep studies and what you can expect during each one.
During a Polysomnogram Sleep Study
Sensors, also called electrodes, are placed on your face, scalp, limbs, chest, and one finger. These electrodes will monitor eye movements, brain activity, heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels. Additional sensors in the form of elastic belts will be placed around your chest and stomach to measure the movements of your breathing. All of these sensors will feed information into a computer in an adjoining room. Despite the amount of wires, their flexibility rarely causes discomfort or interferes with sleep.
Many times, a polysomnogram is used to help determine if you have sleep apnea. The sleep study for sleep apnea typically is a split-night sleep study. This means that there are two different phases throughout the night. For the first half of the night, the sleep technician will monitor you as you normally sleep without any interference. For the second half of the night, you’ll wear a CPAP mask which provides continuous positive airway pressure to gently keep your airways open. You’ll then fall back to sleep and the monitoring will continue with the aid of the CPAP mask. During this time, the technician will also adjust the CPAP machine to ensure that they find and document the perfect setting for your condition.
During a Multiple Sleep Latency Sleep Study
The MSLT is a sleep study that’s done during the day, usually after completing a polysomnogram. After your polysomnogram your sleep technician will remove many of the sensors but leave the sensors on your face, scalp, and chin. The MSLT usually begins about 2 hours after the polysomnogram is complete. You’ll be asked to relax and try to fall asleep in your dark, quiet room. They’ll request this of you about four or five times throughout the day to monitor your ability to fall asleep at different times. Between the stretches of the sleep study you’ll have breaks lasting approximately 2 hours during which you’ll need to stay awake.
The MSLT sleep study will record when you fall asleep and what stages of sleep you have throughout the day. This type of sleep study is typically used for patients who may be suffering from sleep disorders such as idiopathic hypersomnia, or narcolepsy.
During a Maintenance of Wakefulness Sleep Study
The maintenance of wakefulness sleep study is also typically done after completing a polysomnogram. Similar to the MSLT, this test will take most of the day and also uses sensors on your face, scalp, and chin. For this test you’ll be asked to sit quietly in a chair while looking forward. Your goal is to try to stay awake. These sleep study stretches last around 40 minutes each. If you do happen to fall asleep, the technician will wake you after one or two minutes. This sleep study also includes 2-hour breaks between phases where you are free to read or watch television, but not sleep. The MWT sleep study is a test commonly used for those whom have a job in transportation or related to safety.
Other Sleep Study Tests
Not every sleep study is performed in a sleep center. There are a few sleep studies that are performed at home and during your normal daily routines. One of these is called a Home-Based Portable Monitor Test. The name is pretty self-descriptive of the test itself. You set up the equipment at home before you go to sleep after you pick it up from the sleep center. You’ll be instructed on how to use the equipment and a sleep technician may even come to your home to walk you through the process. The equipment will monitor you as you sleep in the comfort of your own home.
An Actigraphy is another sleep study that is done away from the sleep center. You wear a small device on your wrist called an actigraph and then you simply go about your regular daily routine, only removing the device during bathing or swimming. The small device will monitor your sleep and wake behavior for a period of 3 to 14 days and nights. The data collected will give your doctor a clear vision of your sleeping habits. Often, during an actigraphy, you may be asked to keep a sleep diary as a secondary way of collecting information.
All of these sleep studies are painless but provide valuable insight into any symptoms or problems you may be experiencing. These valuable tools are essential for helping your doctor diagnose any possible sleeping disorders and help you on your way to getting treatment and taking back your life.