If you’re suffering from a sleep disorder, your doctor may suggest that you undergo a sleep study, or polysomnography. A sleep study is a test used to diagnose sleep disorders by recording your breathing, brain waves, heart rate, oxygen levels, snoring, sleeping position, and muscle activity while asleep. The test may also be recommended if you have already been diagnosed with a sleep disorder to conclude why your treatment is not successful.

What types of sleep disorders can be addressed by a sleep study?

  • Sleep apnea: Temporary cessation of breathing during sleep
  • Narcolepsy: An extreme tendency to fall asleep
  • Shift work sleep disorder: Problems sleeping during the day due to working late night or rotating shifts
  • Nighttime behavior issues such as: Sleep walking, night terrors or bedwetting
  • REM Sleep disorder: acting out dreams as you sleep

What’s a sleep study like?

If you’re trying to decide if you should have a sleep study, you’re probably wondering what it will be like. A sleep study usually takes place at a sleep unit within a hospital or at a sleep center. Under special circumstances, the test may even be able to be done in the comfort of your own home.

A sleep study is normally performed in the evening so that your nighttime sleep patterns can be monitored. You will stay overnight and bring anything with you that you need to follow your normal nightly routine. At your typical bedtime, a sleep technician will help you prepare for your polysomnography by attaching sensors to your body for monitoring. The data is then transmitted to a computer that is monitored throughout the night.

When you wake up in the morning, the sensors will be tested and removed. Unless you require further testing, you will be able to leave. Results from sleep studies at Jacksonville Sleep Center are usually available in one or two business days.

Is a sleep study worth my time?

When you suffer from a sleep disorder and aren’t getting enough rest, many areas of your life can be negatively affected. If left unchecked, some of the potential physical and mental health issues resulting from a sleep disorder can be: fatigue, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeat, depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, lack of sex drive and irritability.

In addition to some of these serious issues, when you aren’t sleeping properly your quality of life suffers. You don’t have the time and energy necessary to enjoy activities with family and friends. In the big picture, it’s important to realize that a sleep study is completed in one evening and treatment can begin as soon as your results are determined. That means that in a short time, you can be on your way to better sleep.

If you have a sleep disorder and are interested in learning more about having a sleep study in Jacksonville, contact Dr. Nassar and his team at Jacksonville Sleep Center today.

Sources:

http://sleepcenter.ucla.edu/preparing-for-a-sleep-study
https://sleepfoundation.org/excessivesleepiness/content/how-does-sleep-study-work
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/polysomnography/basics/definition/prc-20013229