Sleep studies are tests that record what happens to your body during sleep. The studies are done to find out what is causing your sleep problems. Sleep problems include:
Sleep apnea, when an adult regularly stops breathing during sleep for 10 seconds or longer. This may be caused by blocked airflow during sleep, such as from narrowed airways. Or it may be caused by a problem with how the brain signals the breathing muscles to work.
Sleep studies can also determine whether you have a problem with your stages of sleep. The two stages of sleep are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM). Normally, NREM and REM alternate 4 to 5 times during a night's sleep. A change in this cycle may make it hard for you to sleep soundly.
The most common sleep studies are:
Polysomnogram This test records several body functions during sleep, including brain activity, eye movement, oxygen and carbon dioxide blood levels,heart rate and rhythm, breathing rate and rhythm, the flow of air through your mouth and nose, snoring, body muscle movements, and chest and belly movement.
Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) This test measures how long it takes you to fall asleep. It also determines whether you enter REM sleep.
Maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT) This test measures whether you can stay awake during a time when you are normally awake.
If your doctor thinks that you may have shift work sleep disorder or another problem with your body's internal clock (circadian rhythm), you may have a test calledactigraphy. For this test, you wear a device on your wrist that looks like a watch. The device measures your movement during sleep and when you are awake. It helps your doctor learn what times during the day you are active and what times you are sleeping.
Sleep studies usually are done in a sleep lab. Sleep labs are often located in hospitals. But sleep studies also can be done with portable equipment you use at home.
You will probably be asked to keep a sleep diary for 1 to 2 weeks before your sleep study. Try to follow your normal sleep routine during this time so you will not be too tired or too rested for your sleep test. Do not take any naps for 2 to 3 days before your test. See an example of a sleep diary.
Tell your doctor about any drugs you are taking. You may be asked to stop taking certain drugs, such as sedatives, before your sleep study.
You may be asked to avoid food or drinks with caffeine for a day or two before your test.
Take a shower or bath before your test, but do not use sprays, oils, or gels on yourhair. Do not wear makeup, fingernail polish, or fake nails, because some of the test equipment will be placed on your face and fingers.
If the sleep study will be done in a sleep lab, pack a small overnight bag with personal items, such as a toothbrush, comb, favorite pillows or blankets, or a book, to take along. You do not need to wear a hospital gown. You can wear your normal nightclothes.
The sleep lab may send you forms to fill out before the test. These forms will ask about your sleep habits and patterns. The forms may also include questions for the person who sleeps with you; he or she may be aware of sleep habits you do not know you have. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form.
Sleep studies are done to find sleep problems, including:
Sleep studies are usually done by a trained sleep lab technician. The studies are usually scheduled for evening and night hours (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) in a special sleep lab. But if you usually sleep during the day, your test will be done during the hours you normally sleep. You will be in a private room, much like a hotel room. For portable sleep monitoring, you will use equipment at home that records information about you while you sleep.
You will need to be at the sleep lab a few hours before the test so the technician can prepare you for the study. You will fill out a questionnaire about your sleep the night before. You will also be asked to fill out another form after the study about your sleep during the study.
You will not feel pain during these tests. It may feel odd to be hooked to the sleep study equipment. The sleep lab technician understands that your sleep may not be the same as it is at home because of the equipment. Try to relax and make yourself as comfortable as possible.
After the test, you can shower and shampoo your hair to remove the glue from your body.