Gina Johnson
Sleep is essential for our physical, emotional, and mental health. However, many people experience sleep troubles at some point in their lives, and a sleep study can be a helpful way to diagnose and address these issues. A sleep study, also known as a polysomnography or sleep evaluation, is a diagnostic test that tracks and records multiple body systems, including brain activity, heart function, and respiration, to identify any underlying sleep disorders or health issues. This non-invasive procedure usually takes place overnight in a sleep lab or hospital and involves sensors and monitoring equipment to assess various aspects of your sleep. The results help determine the next steps in your care, such as recommending treatment options or ruling out certain conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To determine if you have a sleep disorder and the next steps in your care plan |
| Who Needs It | People who have trouble sleeping or experience symptoms like snoring, headaches, fatigue, etc. |
| Test Type | Diagnostic test that involves recording multiple body systems like the brain, heart, and breathing |
| Test Procedure | Sensors are attached to the body to monitor breathing, brain waves, oxygen levels, pulse, leg movements, etc.; video and audio monitoring may also be used |
| Test Location | Sleep study rooms in a quiet area of a hospital or at home |
| Test Duration | Overnight or one night |
| Test Results | Available within a few days; reviewed by a physician who recommends treatment options |
| Test Cost | Covered by most insurance plans; at-home tests are less expensive than in-lab studies |
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What You'll Learn
What is a sleep study?
A sleep study, or polysomnography, is a diagnostic test that involves recording multiple systems in your body while you sleep. This includes monitoring key body systems such as your brain, heart, and breathing. The test is not painful and usually takes just one night to complete. It is a very common test that can help diagnose many sleep-related conditions.
During a sleep study, sensors are attached to your body to track the activity of multiple body systems. These sensors include electroencephalography (EEG) to detect brain activity, electrocardiography (EKG or ECG) to monitor heart activity, electromyography (EMG) to track muscle movement, and electro-oculography (EOG) to detect eye activity. Breathing sensors and a pulse oximeter are also used to measure breathing patterns and blood oxygen levels.
Sleep studies are typically conducted in a sleep lab, where a sleep technologist or other healthcare professionals monitor your sleep. However, there are also at-home sleep study options available, which are more cost-effective and convenient but may not capture as many signals as an overnight sleep study.
The purpose of a sleep study is to help diagnose sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia, and parasomnias. It can also be used to rule out certain conditions or to determine the effectiveness of completed treatments. The test provides valuable data on sleep stages, oxygen levels, breathing patterns, sleep latency, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency.
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Why do I need one?
Your doctor may recommend a sleep study if they suspect you are suffering from a sleep disorder that is affecting your health. Sleep disorders can have a detrimental impact on your physical, emotional and mental health. A sleep study is a diagnostic test that can help determine whether you have a sleep disorder and, if so, what treatment options are available.
A sleep study is a non-invasive test that involves recording multiple systems in your body while you sleep. Sensors are used to monitor your heart, brain, breathing and more. This allows healthcare providers to take an in-depth look at your sleep and determine whether you have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that occurs when your breathing is interrupted during sleep, often for more than ten seconds. This can cause stress on your heart, leading to low oxygen levels, hypertension, and heart rhythm problems. It may also lead to increased plaque build-up in your arteries, which can increase your risk of stroke and heart attack. Even if you are unaware of any breathing problems, you may still have sleep apnea if you experience other symptoms such as morning headaches, fatigue, weight gain or memory problems.
An at-home sleep test may be an option if you are experiencing signs of sleep apnea, such as snoring or gasping during sleep. However, an overnight sleep study in a lab provides a more thorough assessment of sleep issues. It captures more data, including brainwaves, muscle tone, and leg movements, and is attended by a sleep technologist. For people with certain heart, breathing, or neuromuscular problems, an overnight sleep study at a sleep center may be the best option.
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What happens during the test?
A sleep study, also known as a polysomnogram, is a diagnostic test that tracks and records the activity of multiple body systems, including the heart, brain and respiratory system, to give healthcare providers a comprehensive view of the quality of your sleep.
During the test, you will be hooked up to various sensors and monitoring equipment. The sensors are attached to your body using adhesive gel or tape. The process is not painful, but it can be uncomfortable for some. The sensors include:
- Electroencephalography (EEG) sensors, which are placed on your head to detect brain activity.
- Electrocardiography (EKG or ECG) sensors, which are placed on your chest to monitor your heart's electrical activity.
- Electromyogram (EMG) sensors, which are attached to your face and leg to track muscle movement.
- Electro-oculography (EOG) sensors, which are placed around your eyes to detect eye movement.
- Breathing sensors, which detect air movement through your nose and mouth.
- A respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) belt, which is placed around your chest and belly to detect the expansion of your torso when you breathe.
- A pulse oximeter, which is placed on your fingertip to read your pulse and blood oxygen levels.
- Video and audio monitoring equipment, which allows staff to observe you while you sleep.
Once all the sensors are attached, you will be asked to perform some simple tasks, such as moving your eyes, opening and closing your mouth, and moving your legs, to ensure that the sensors are working correctly. After this calibration process, you can relax and prepare for sleep.
During the test, staff may need to enter the room to adjust or reattach sensors, or if they observe any signs of a serious problem, such as a seizure.
In the morning, the sensors will be removed, and you will be free to leave the sleep lab.
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What happens after the test?
After the sleep study test, you will wake up and sleep lab personnel will help to disconnect and remove the sensors. You can then change into your clothes and leave the sleep lab.
Following the test, a healthcare provider will review and interpret the data. This professional interpretation is crucial as a sleep study involves gathering multiple types of data about how you sleep. Once the data has been interpreted, the provider will contact you to let you know what they found and recommend next steps. In most cases, they will discuss the results in more detail at a follow-up appointment. They will also talk through treatment options and other next steps.
You should expect to receive your results within a few days of the sleep study. However, this can vary depending on the facility, so it is best to ask your provider when to expect the results.
If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, your physician might recommend an in-lab study following an at-home sleep test. Home tests can sometimes be inaccurate, for instance, if sensors fall off during the night. In a lab, a physician is on-site to monitor you.
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What are the risks?
Sleep studies are considered very safe, with only a few minor risks to be aware of. Here is an overview of the potential risks associated with undergoing a sleep study:
Skin Irritation: One of the most commonly reported side effects of a sleep study is mild skin irritation caused by the electrodes or adhesive sensors attached to the skin. This irritation is usually mild and temporary, and the sensors can be easily removed if necessary.
Allergic Reaction: In some cases, individuals may experience an allergic reaction to the adhesives used with the sensors. It is important to inform your healthcare provider about any known skin allergies in advance, so they can take appropriate measures to prevent a reaction.
Discomfort: Sleeping with multiple sensors attached to your body can be uncomfortable and may affect the quality of your sleep. The new environment of the sleep lab or clinic may also contribute to a less restful night's sleep. However, this discomfort is typically mild and does not interfere with the effectiveness of the study.
Inaccurate Results: While rare, there is a possibility of inaccurate results due to sensors falling off during the night or other technical issues. This risk is higher with at-home sleep tests, where a physician is not on-site to monitor the equipment.
Other Complications: There may be other potential complications associated with sleep studies, but these are uncommon and vary from person to person. It is always a good idea to discuss the risks with your healthcare provider, as they can give you more personalized information based on your specific circumstances.
Overall, sleep studies are considered safe and well-tolerated by most individuals. The benefits of obtaining an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for sleep disorders typically outweigh the minor risks associated with the procedure.
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