Sleep Studies: Weekend Availability And Your Questions

Sleep studies are diagnostic tests that track and record the activity of multiple body systems, including the heart, brain and respiratory system, to give healthcare providers a comprehensive view of the quality of a patient's sleep. Sleep studies are usually carried out at night, but can also be scheduled during the day for people who work night shifts and sleep during the day. Sleep studies are typically carried out in a sleep lab, which may be a department within a hospital or clinic, or a standalone facility. Sleep labs may be accredited centres, meeting the standards of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

Sleep studies are typically done overnight

The sleep study process begins with the patient checking into the sleep centre in the evening, usually between 8 and 10 p.m. The technician then spends about 45 to 60 minutes setting up the sensors and performing tests to ensure they are working correctly. The patient is then left alone to relax, read, or watch TV until it is their usual bedtime or they feel drowsy enough to sleep. During the sleep study, the technician monitors the patient from another room and may enter the room if a wire or sensor needs to be adjusted or if there are signs of a serious problem, such as a seizure.

In the morning, the technician helps the patient disconnect and remove the sensors, and the patient can change into their daytime clothes and leave the sleep lab. The data collected during the sleep study is then sent to a physician for interpretation, and the results are typically discussed with the patient within a few days.

They can be done at a hospital or sleep clinic

Sleep studies are typically carried out at a hospital sleep laboratory or an outpatient sleep clinic. These facilities are designed to be as comfortable and homely as possible, often with regular bedroom furniture, a television, a private bathroom, and other amenities.

When you arrive for your sleep study, the process will be similar to checking in for a doctor's appointment. You may need to fill out paperwork, including a consent form, and present your health insurance card and/or co-pay. A sleep technician will then take you to your bedroom for the night and show you where the bathroom is and where to put your things.

You will then change into your sleepwear and go through your regular bedtime routine, such as brushing your teeth and washing your face. The technician will then spend around 45 to 60 minutes setting you up for the sleep study. This involves attaching electrodes to your body to monitor your brain waves, breathing, and movement while you sleep. The setup process may take longer for certain conditions, such as seizures, which can take up to 90 minutes to two hours to set up.

Once the setup is complete, the technician will calibrate the sensors and then leave you alone to relax, read, or watch TV until it's time for bed. If you need to use the bathroom, a staff member will assist you in disconnecting the wires.

During the sleep study, providers and personnel may check on you under certain circumstances, such as if a wire or sensor comes loose or if they observe signs of a serious problem, such as a seizure or other medical emergency.

In the morning, sleep lab personnel will help disconnect and remove the sensors. You can then change into your clothes and leave the sleep lab.

Sleep studies are typically completed in one night, with check-in times between 8 and 10 pm and departure times between 6 and 8 am the next day. The goal is for the participant to sleep for at least seven hours, although this is not always possible.

Sleep labs may be accredited centres that have met the standards of organisations like the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). The staff at sleep clinics are typically trained in sleep medicine and may also practice related disciplines such as neurology, psychiatry, and pulmonary medicine. Other medical professionals found at sleep centres include physician assistants, nurses, respiratory therapists, and medical assistants.

Sensors are attached to the body to monitor brain and body activity

The sensors are attached to your head and body with adhesive. The wires connecting the sensors to a computer are gathered over your head with plenty of slack so you can move around during sleep. The sensors are placed on your head to detect and record the electrical activity of your brain, known as brain waves, while you sleep. Different wave types occur during different sleep stages, which is a key way to identify sleep disorders and issues.

You will also have a single EKG sensor attached to your chest to pick up the electrical activity of your heart. This allows a healthcare provider to see if there is any issue with your heart's beating pattern and internal electrical system.

Sensors are also attached to your skin, usually on your face and a leg, to track muscle movement. These sensors are for monitoring only and do not activate any muscles. Two sensors are placed on the skin around each eye to detect eye activity.

Additionally, sensors are used to detect air movement through your mouth and nose, and a belt is used to detect the expansion of your torso when you breathe. A small adhesive sensor is also stuck to the tip of your index finger to read your pulse and blood oxygen level.

Sleep studies are used to diagnose sleep disorders

The basic recordings done during a sleep study include:

• Electroencephalography (EEG), which measures brain wave activity.
• Electrooculogram (EOG), which measures eye movement.
• Electromyography (EMG), which measures muscle movement.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG), which records electrical activity in the heart.

In addition to these tests, video recordings may be made of the individual sleeping. Sleep studies are conducted in sleep labs during an individual's normal sleeping hours. The goal is to record brain and body activity to diagnose and treat sleep disorders.

During a sleep study, various aspects of sleep are measured, including eye movement, brain activity, limb movement, breathing patterns, heart rhythm, oxygen saturation, sleep latency, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency. Doctors trained in sleep medicine evaluate the test results to treat sleep issues and develop appropriate treatments.

They can also be done at home

Sleep studies can also be done at home. This is known as an at-home sleep test or an unattended home sleep test (HST). These tests are often used to diagnose sleep apnea, specifically, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

At-home sleep tests are a simplified version of an overnight sleep study. They are a cost-effective way to determine whether you're having trouble breathing during sleep. They are also more convenient and less expensive than in-lab sleep studies.

The process of an at-home sleep test typically involves the following steps:

• Schedule a visit with a healthcare provider. A prescription is required for an at-home sleep test, so if you are experiencing symptoms of OSA, make an appointment with your provider. Many companies offer virtual consultations for this purpose.
• Get your at-home sleep test kit. Once you have your prescription, the device will either be mailed to you or you will need to pick it up at a sleep lab or clinic. Your provider will instruct you on how to use the equipment.
• Take the test. Follow the instructions to put on any sensors required by the test. Try to sleep and wake up at your normal times, and avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can affect your sleep.
• Return your equipment. After the test, bring or send the device back to the predetermined location. The clinic will then download and analyze the collected data.
• Await your results. Once the data has been analyzed, your doctor or sleep specialist will discuss the results with you. They may give you a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, or they may recommend an in-lab sleep study if the results are negative or inconclusive.

It's important to note that at-home sleep tests are not as comprehensive as overnight sleep studies in a lab. They monitor breathing parameters and oxygen levels but do not analyze sleep patterns or brainwaves. Additionally, at-home tests may not be suitable for children or individuals with other medical issues such as pulmonary diseases, neuromuscular diseases, or congestive heart failure.

Discuss with your doctor to determine which sleep study option is best for you.

Frequently asked questions