In Lab Sleep Studies

During you initial visit, your physician will review your clinical history, medications, medical history, family history, and physical examination and decide if you need sleep studies. Sleep studies are performed in our free standing accredited sleep center. If a home sleep test is appropriate you will be scheduled for this.

You will be asked to arrive at the Sleep Center between 8:00 to 9:00 pm. The technologist will greet you and care for you throughout the night. Please bring comfortable clothes to sleep in but do not bring blankets or pillows as these will be provided. You will be in a private room which will have a television set and a reading light. You may ask for a fan if you need one. The test will be complete the following morning by 6 a.m.

Upon arrival, your technologist will explain what will happen during the study, and will prepare you for the sleep study. You will have electrodes place on your scalp to record your brainwaves and on your legs to record any abnormal leg movements. You will have two elastic belts placed around your chest and abdomen in order to assess for respiratory effort. An airflow probe will be placed under your nose. EKG and oxygen saturation will also be monitored during the study. Although it may not be quite as comfortable as sleeping in your own bed, you should experience no pain or discomfort during or after the tests. During your initial visit please let your physician know if you will require a sleeping pill to help you sleep during the study.

The following morning (usually by 6 a.m.) you will be awakened by the technologist who conducted your tests. You will be free to shower and leave as soon as you wish.

If your initial sleep study indicates that you have significant sleep apnea, you may require a second sleep study with a CPAP machine to determine what pressure settings are right for you.

If you are a shift worker and normally work nights, your physician may decide to run your “overnight” sleep study during the day.

For patients with severe daytime sleepiness, a daytime sleep test known as a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) may be required. This study follows the overnight sleep study through the next day. This test is a series of five naps every two hours lasting approximately 20 minutes each.

If you are need clearance in order to operate a motor vehicle, fly an airplane, or operate heavy machinery, a Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) may be required – The MWT is similar to the MSLT except that it is usually performed after you have been treated for your sleep disorder. The purpose is to stay awake during the recording sessions and demonstrate that you now no longer have excessive daytime sleepiness.

Following a sleep study, your technologist will compile your recorded sleep study before it is carefully reviewed by your physician. Your physician will then decide if you require any further sleep studies before making recommendations for treatment options. All information is forwarded promptly to your referring physician. If you require a CPAP machine or equipment for treatment, this will be ordered for you.