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Glossary for PSG (Sleep Study) Reports

This glossary is being updated.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Arousal:
An interruption of sleep lasting greater than 3 seconds.

B

BR Arousal index:
The number of breathing related arousals(apnea, hypopnea, snoring & RERAs)multiplied by the # hours of sleep.

Bruxism:
Grinding of the teeth.

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Central apnea:
A respiratory episode where there is no airflow and no effort to breathe lasting greater than 10 seconds.

D

E

EEG/EOG:
Comments about sleep stages, brain waves (EEG), or eye movements (EOG)

EKG/ECG:
Comments about heart rate, abnormal heart beats, etc.

EMG:
Comments about leg movements and or teeth grinding (bruxism).

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G

H

Hypopnea:
A respiratory episode where there is partial obstruction of the airway lasting greater than 10 seconds.  Also called partial apnea or hypo-apnea.

I

J

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L

M

N

Non-supine:
Sleeping in any position other than on the back.

NSR:
Normal sinus rhythm.

NPSG:
Nocturnal Polysomnogram, or sleep study.

(#)Number of Awakenings:
The number of pages scored as wake after sleep onset.

O

Obstructive apnea:
A respiratory episode  where there is a complete cessation of airflow lasting greater than 10 seconds.

P

PLMs:
Periodic limb movements.

PLM arousal index:
The number of periodic limb movements that cause arousals multiplied by the number of hours of sleep.

PSGT:
Polysomnographic technologist.

Q

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REM latency:
Latency to REM(dreaming) from sleep onset.

RERAs:
Respiratory effort related arousals.  Episodes that are not apneas or hypopneas, often related to loud snoring, that generally do not cause a decrease in oxygen saturation.

Respiratory:
Any specific comments about respiratory events.

RPSGT:
Registered polysomnographic technologist.

S

Sleep efficiency:
Total sleep time multiplied by time in bed.

Sleep latency:
The first 30 seconds (one `epoch' of recording time) of sleep.

Sleep onset:
The first 90 seconds (3 `epochs)  of uninterrupted sleep.

Sleep stage shifts:
The number of incidents of sleep stage changes.

Snoring intensity:
Level of snoring loudness determined by the sleep technologist.  Ranging in degrees from mild to very loud snoring.

Spontaneous arousal index:
The number of spontaneous arousals (e.g. arousals not related to respiratory events, limb movements, snoring, etc) multiplied by the number of hours of sleep.

Stage 1:
The lightest stage of sleep.  Transitional stage from wake.
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Stage 1 shifts:
The number of times the sleep stage changed to stage 1.

Stage 2:
The first true stage of sleep.

Stages 3/4:
The deepest, most restorative sleep.

Stage REM:
The dreaming stage; Normally occurs every 60-90 minutes.

Supine:
Sleeping on back.

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Time in bed:
The time in the study from `Lights Out' to `Lights On'.

Total arousal index:
Total number of all arousals multiplied by the number of hours of sleep.

Total # of PLMs:
The number of leg movements in sleep that last greater than 0.5 seconds.

Total sleep time: Total time asleep.

U

V

W

WASO:
Wakefulness after sleep onset.

WNL:
Within normal limits.

X

Y

Z

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