Miya Pearson
Sleep studies are used to determine the cause of a person's symptoms and whether a sleep disorder is present. A sleep study may be recommended by a sleep physician if they suspect you have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep walking or restless legs syndrome. Before recommending a sleep study, a physician will take a sleep history, review medical and psychiatric problems, and give you a physical examination. They may also ask you to keep a sleep diary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| A sleep physician suspects you have a sleep disorder | Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypersomnia (e.g. narcolepsy), parasomnia (e.g. sleep walking or nocturnal eating) |
| You have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder | Sleep studies are used to monitor a patient's response to treatment |
| You have been recommended a home sleep apnea test | Sleep apnea |
| You have a sleep disorder that does not require a sleep study to diagnose | Insomnia, restless legs syndrome (RLS) |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep apnea
A sleep study is often recommended for people who are suspected of having sleep apnea. During a sleep study, sensors are attached to the person's head and body to record information such as brain activity, eye movement, heart rate, and breathing patterns. This information can help doctors diagnose sleep apnea and determine its severity.
There are different types of sleep studies that can be used to diagnose sleep apnea. One type is an in-lab sleep study, which is conducted in a sleep clinic or hospital. This type of sleep study allows for more comprehensive monitoring and is often used for people with more complex cases of sleep apnea.
Another type of sleep study is a home sleep apnea test. This type of sleep study can be conducted in the comfort of the person's home and is often recommended for people with milder cases of sleep apnea. The home sleep apnea test typically involves wearing a portable device that records information such as breathing patterns and heart rate while the person sleeps.
If you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, it is important to consult a doctor. They will be able to evaluate your symptoms and determine if a sleep study is necessary. A sleep study can provide valuable information that can help guide treatment and improve your sleep quality.
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Insomnia
A sleep study is not always the first step in determining whether you have a sleep disorder. A sleep physician will first attempt to determine the nature of a sleep problem and its treatment. This includes a sleep diary to track your sleep-wake pattern, your complete medical history and a physical examination. If the sleep physician thinks you may have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy or sleep walking, then they will recommend a sleep study.
If you are experiencing insomnia, a sleep study is not required to diagnose the condition. Instead, a sleep physician will take a careful sleep history, review all medical and psychiatric problems, and give you a physical examination. You may be asked to keep a sleep diary and share any current and past medications.
A sleep study can, however, provide valuable insight into the causes of insomnia and other sleep disorders. It can also be used to monitor a patient's response to treatment. During a sleep study, a technologist will glue or tape painless sensors to your head and body that will record information while you sleep.
If you are experiencing insomnia, it is important to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional. They will be able to determine the best course of action for your individual situation and recommend treatment options such as cognitive-behavioural therapy or medication.
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Restless legs syndrome
A sleep study is usually recommended by a doctor if they suspect a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders include sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy and sleep walking.
RLS can be a lifelong condition, but it is more common in middle-aged and older adults. It can sometimes start during pregnancy, particularly in the last three months. It can also be associated with iron deficiency or kidney problems.
RLS can be a primary condition, which means that the cause is unknown or idiopathic. It can also be a secondary condition, which means that it is caused by another condition or a substance. Conditions associated with secondary RLS include iron deficiency, kidney failure, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and pregnancy. Substances associated with secondary RLS include alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine.
If you think you might have RLS, you should see your doctor. They will ask about your symptoms and medical history and may recommend a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment for RLS aims to relieve symptoms and improve sleep. This may include lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake. Medication may also be prescribed to help relieve symptoms.
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Narcolepsy
A sleep study is used to determine the cause of a person's symptoms, including which sleep disorder is present. A sleep study is also used to monitor the response to treatment of someone who has been diagnosed with a sleep disorder. A sleep study may be recommended if a sleep physician suspects a patient has a sleep disorder such as narcolepsy.
The cause of narcolepsy is not fully understood, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune factors. In some cases, narcolepsy may be triggered by an infection or other stressor. Narcolepsy is often diagnosed in adolescence or early adulthood, but it can also occur in childhood or later in life.
The symptoms of narcolepsy can vary from person to person, but they often include excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden attacks of sleep, and cataplexy. Some people with narcolepsy may also experience hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and disrupted nocturnal sleep.
The treatment for narcolepsy typically involves a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. Medications used to treat narcolepsy include stimulants to promote wakefulness, antidepressants to improve sleep quality, and sodium oxybate to help regulate sleep-wake cycles. Lifestyle changes that can be beneficial for people with narcolepsy include maintaining a regular sleep schedule, taking scheduled naps throughout the day, and engaging in regular physical activity.
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Nocturnal eating
Nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder (NSRED) is a combination of a parasomnia and an eating disorder. It is a non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) parasomnia. It is described as being in a specific category within somnambulism or a state of sleepwalking that includes behaviours connected to a person's conscious wishes or wants.
NSRED is a person's fulfilling of their conscious wants that they suppress. However, this disorder is difficult to distinguish from other similar types of disorders. Over the past 30 years, several studies have found that those affected by NSRED all have different symptoms and behaviours specific to them, yet they also all have similar characteristics that doctors and psychologists have identified to distinguish NSRED from other combinations of sleep and eating disorders such as night eating syndrome.
The first case of NSRED was reported in 1955, but over the next 36 years, only nine more reports were made of this syndrome. Seven of these reports were single-case studies and the other two instances were seen during objective sleep studies, all done by psychiatrists and doctors. Schenck and Mahowald were the first to conduct a major study on this disorder. They started their study of NSRED in 1985 and continued until 1993 with several cases among a total of 38 other various sleep-related disorders. Many of the cases they observed had symptoms that overlapped with those of NES, but this study was the first to discover that NSRED was different from NES in the fact that those with NSRED were either partially or completely unaware of their actions at night while those with NES were aware.
Some eat their food with their bare hands while others attempt to eat it with utensils. This occasionally results in injuries to the person as well as other injuries. After completing their studies, Schenck and Mahowald said, "Injuries resulted from the careless cutting of food or opening of cans; consumption of scalding fluids (coffee) or solids (hot oatmeal); and frenzied running into walls, kitchen counters, and furniture." A few of the more notable symptoms of this disorder include large amounts of weight gain over short periods of time, particularly in women; irritability during the day, due to lack of restful sleep; and vivid dreams at night.
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Frequently asked questions
Your board-certified sleep medicine physician will decide if you need a sleep study. They will first attempt to determine the nature of a sleep problem and its treatment.
The sleep physician will take a careful sleep history, review all medical and psychiatric problems, as well as give you a physical examination. You may be asked to keep a sleep diary and share any current and past medications.
Sleep studies are often recommended if the sleep physician thinks you may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypersomnia such as narcolepsy, or parasomnia such as sleepwalking or nocturnal eating.
Sleep disorders such as insomnia and restless legs syndrome (RLS) do not require a sleep study to diagnose, but rather a history.
