If the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea are present, a polysomnogram may be suggested by your physician as part of their diagnostic treatment plan. This involves spending the night at either a lab or hospital while being closely monitored during sleep for breathing rates, heart rates, body movements and other vital indicators.
If you decide to undergo a polysomnogram test, avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine the afternoon and evening prior to your test as this could alter its results.
During the test
If your doctor suspects sleep apnea based on symptoms and physical examination, they may recommend an at-home test that records your heart rate and breathing. Unfortunately, such home tests don’t offer as much insight as polysomnography as they don’t differentiate when you are asleep and awake – potentially underestimating its severity.
A polysomnogram typically involves spending one night at a sleep center being monitored closely by a qualified technician, in a private room similar to what would be found at a hotel, with complete darkness and quiet for your study allowing you to maintain your usual bedtime routine.
A technologist will collect several pieces of data about your sleep pattern, such as the number of apneas, hypopneas and respiratory effort-related arousals (RERAs) that occur throughout the night. Apneas and hypopneas are periods without airflow lasting 10 seconds or longer while RERAs represent changes in breathing effort due to reduced oxygen levels in your blood.
Technologists will also monitor brain activity and muscle movement, measure snoring and blood oxygen levels in order to assess whether you may have a condition affecting breathing such as obstructive sleep apnea.
While sleeping, your technologist will use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to assist your breathing while in deep sleep. The device includes either a tight-sealing nosepiece or face mask and delivers air to keep the upper airway open during restful slumber. When necessary, oxygen may also be utilized as part of the treatment plan to aid with your breathing.
As part of their nightly analysis, your sleep technician will generate an Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). They use this graph to help them diagnose Obstructive Sleep Apnea by comparing it to previous study results or your medical history. Should any questions arise regarding your AHI readings, the technologist can discuss them further before you leave and your results are typically available within a few weeks.
The room
Your doctor orders a sleep study test if they suspect you have an obstructive sleep apnea condition. The test records brain waves, heart activity, eye and leg movements, snoring and body movement during sleep for your physician to review; providing accurate diagnostic tools such as O2aP.
Sleep studies may be performed either in a hospital or private clinic, with participants arriving in the evening and staying overnight in an “hotel room-type” environment. You are encouraged to bring any bedclothes or items from home that you use at night as this helps ensure a more natural sleeping experience. In either setting, technicians use video and audio systems so they can watch and hear you as you sleep; should any problem arise while sleeping they can also come directly into your room and remove wires so you don’t disrupt anyone else in there.
They will attach testing sensors to your head, face, chest and legs using mild adhesive such as glue or tape and connect them to a computer for monitoring purposes. A clip on your finger or ear will monitor blood oxygen levels while another sensor placed on breathing tube will measure breath rate. They’ll also track quality of sleep using heart rate monitoring, blood pressure tracking and respiratory effort tracking devices and will document any snoring loudness as part of this analysis.
Polysomnography measures your non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep cycles, during which dreaming typically takes place. Polysomnography can detect abnormalities in these stages that indicate certain types of parasomnia such as teeth grinding (bruxism), narcolepsy or restless leg syndrome; or abnormal behaviors like acting out dreams that could indicate REM behavior disorder – even abnormal behaviors in terms of acting out dreams can indicate problems originating within this sleep stage itself!
Polysomnography data is evaluated first by a sleep technologist who will use it to chart your sleeping stages and cycles, followed by review by your sleep center doctor at a follow-up appointment where they will discuss treatment options or may recommend further testing depending on what was found by this polysomnography study.
The equipment
Sleep studies are performed while you sleep to detect sleep disorders. Doctors use this test to monitor brain waves, heart rate and breathing rate as well as measure the ratio between rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep in your cycles of restful slumber – this data allows doctors to develop personalized treatment plans tailored specifically for you.
On the night of your sleep study, you will be in a private, dark, and quiet room. Wear comfortable clothing and bring any regular bedtime items like pillows and blankets that you normally use when sleeping. Avoid eating or drinking anything containing caffeine, alcohol, nicotine or similar substances before the test since these substances contain chemicals which could alter your sleeping patterns and impact test results; in addition, avoid napping in the afternoon as doing so could prevent you from falling asleep as expected during the test itself.
There are various kinds of sleep apnea tests, with the diagnostic overnight polysomnography (PSG) test being the most frequently utilized. It records brain activity, heart rate and breathing rates while measuring how much REM/non-REM sleep you are getting as well as measuring how long each cycle lasts.
A sleep technician attaches small metal discs called electrodes to your head, chest and abdomen that connect to a computer system that records and displays data during your study. A video camera may also be used so they can monitor you while sleeping; you should notify them immediately of any discomfort with any part of the equipment used or have any queries or questions for them.
If your PSG indicates signs of obstructive sleep apnea, your technologist will suggest using either a CPAP or BiPAP machine to aid sleep. These machines use tight-sealing nosepieces or face masks with which a steady stream of air is delivered to keep airways open throughout the night; their settings can often be adjusted so the amount of air flowing when inhaling increases and decreases with each exhale.
Pulse oximetry measures changes in blood oxygen levels during sleep. A device attaching to your fingertip or earlobe measures the level of oxygen present; other sensors measure your heart rate and eye movements as well. A technologist will be on hand to note if or when you begin snoring loudly.
The test results
Once your test is over, a sleep technologist will analyze and chart your data regarding sleep cycles and stages, abnormal patterns such as apnea/hypopnea, as well as blood oxygen levels to identify whether your disorder could be caused by insufficient oxygen levels or by medical issues like heart or lung disease.
At a sleep center, it may take more time and energy for you to settle down or sleep well; however, this shouldn’t alter the results of your PSG study. Accurate polysomnography doesn’t even require a full night’s rest; if having one done at home instead of at a center, your healthcare provider will provide instructions about how best to prepare and when it’s best for you to go to bed.
Health care providers will also ask about your symptoms and family history of sleeping disorders. They’ll want to know how often you snore, whether or not morning headaches exist and how exhausted you are during the day. In addition, they might ask about weight, neck circumference and blood pressure as well.
Sleep studies, or polysomnograms, are an effective way to diagnose sleep apnea. Usually conducted in hospital sleep disorders units or private centers, polysomnographies use noninvasive sensors worn over your head during sleep that monitor brain waves, breathing patterns, heart rate and eye movements – although they’re normally carried out overnight for shift workers or people who regularly nap.
Polysomnography can identify numerous sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), REM behavior disorder and parasomnias. Furthermore, this test should only be administered by professionals trained and knowledgeable in sleep medicine.
If a health care professional diagnoses you with a sleep disorder, they will recommend treatments such as an anti-collapse device for when sleeping, medications or surgery to address it. They may also suggest lifestyle changes that will improve health such as weight loss or quitting smoking.
