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A Night In The Sleep Medicine Institute

If you have been scheduled to spend a night, or a series of nights, in a sleep lab, relax! Results obtained from patients around the country have shown that sleep specialists can achieve a positive difference in sleep in approximately 80% of patients following sleep lab studies and appropriate treatment.

Polysomnography, or sleep study, is a complex test that evaluates the quality and quantity of sleep stages. Continuous recordings of brain waves, eye movements, chin and check muscle tension, chest and abdomen breathing effort, leg movements, airflow, snoring and blood oxygen level.

The same sleep you experience at home will also occur in the sleep lab, except that it will be observed and measured. Nothing is done in the lab to change sleep-related events, nor is anything inserted into the body. If fact, an elaborate, well-planned, presleep regimen is undertaken, which includes preparing and applying external electrodes and answering any questions you may have concerning sleep and the sleep lab. This is why you are asked to arrive several hours before your regular bedtime.

Some patients feel uncomfortable when wired with electrodes and being monitored, but they usually sleep adequately even on the first night. The sleep lab environment is safe and conducive to sleep. It is dark, quiet, and pleasing with controlled, comfortable temperature. You will have your own private bedroom with a restroom nearby.

Most importantly, maintain your normal daily schedule, and avoid starting a new diet or exercise program until after the sleep study. Be sure to tell the sleep center personnel about any medications you are taking or have recently discontinued.

How is polysomnography performed?

A specially trained technologist will conduct the evaluation. After you are dressed for sleep, the technologist will apply approximately 15 electrodes to your scalp and skin. Two belt sensors will be placed around your chest and abdomen to monitor breathing effort. Two small airflow sensors will be placed beneath your nose and a sensor will be placed on your neck to monitor snoring. Once in bed, the technologist will apply an oxygen sensor to a finger.

The wires attached to the monitors are plugged into a box that is then plugged into a cable by your headboard. The technologist will monitor you from another room. If you should need to get out of bed during the night to use the bathroom, ask a technologist to disconnect the cable.

How long will the polysomnography test last?

An overnight study will last a minimum of 6 hours, ending no later than 7:00 a.m.  If a nap study is requested, it follows the overnight study and ends approximately 10 hours after you awaken (usually between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.).