How Does a Sleep Study Work?

Sleep disorders cause many symptoms that can affect one’s mood, energy level, and overall health. Unfortunately, sleep disorders are notoriously underdiagnosed Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , as they often develop gradually over time and have symptoms that can be difficult to recognize.

Accurate diagnosis is necessary to begin effective treatment for sleep disorders. A sleep study provides valuable insight into the causes of a person’s symptoms, including which – if any – sleep disorders are present. Sleep studies are also used in people diagnosed with sleep disorders to monitor their response to treatment.

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What Is a Sleep Study?

Sleep studies monitor different body functions while you sleep Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source . The most comprehensive type, called polysomnography, is performed in a sleep clinic. At-home sleep tests are also growing in popularity. 

During a sleep study, different types of sensors are attached to your body to gather data overnight while you sleep, including:

• Breathing rate
• Blood oxygen level
• Body position
• Heart rate
• Brain waves
• Leg movements
• Eye movements

The data is used to diagnose the cause of symptoms such as loud snoring, waking up gasping for breath, daytime sleepiness, or trouble falling and staying asleep.

What Can a Sleep Study Diagnose?

A sleep study is used to diagnose sleep disorders Trusted Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) The NHLBI is the nation's leader in the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders. View Source . They allow you and your doctor to then determine the best treatment plan so that you can go back to getting a good night’s sleep. The most common sleep disorders diagnosed by sleep studies are: 

• Sleep apnea: A disorder that causes your breath to intermittently stop during sleep.
• Insomnia: A disorder that prevents you from falling asleep or staying asleep at night.
• Restless leg syndrome: A condition that causes leg discomfort and a strong urge to move them during sleep.
• Narcolepsy: A neurological condition that causes excessive daytime tiredness and sudden sleep episodes.

How Does a Lab Sleep Study Work?

A lab sleep study usually takes place overnight at a sleep clinic or hospital. Here’s what to expect from a typical polysomnography appointment. 

Arrival and Preparation

When you visit a clinic for polysomnography Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source , you will be assigned a room to yourself. You’ll change into your sleeping clothes and settle in for the night.

Setup

Before bedtime, a technologist glues or tapes painless sensors to your head and body that will record information. If you need to use the bathroom, the technologist will detach the sensors and reattach them when you return.

During the Night

You can read and relax in bed until you are ready to fall asleep. The technologist will be on hand to monitor and record the results of your test and to assist you with any issues during the night. The sleep test ends when you wake up in the morning and have the sensors removed.

Follow-up Testing

Some patients undergo multiple sleep latency testing Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source the day after their polysomnography. You will have sensors attached to collect data on your sleep patterns over the course of five scheduled nap periods, two hours apart. At the start of each nap period, the technologist will notify you that it is time for a nap, and you will relax and try to fall asleep.

Sleep Study Results

The results of your sleep study will be sent to your doctor for interpretation. They will then contact you to discuss the findings of the sleep study, whether your results indicate that you have a sleep disorder, and treatment options.

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How Do You Prepare for a Sleep Study?

Taking steps before your sleep study can help you feel comfortable and facilitate more accurate results.

Before scheduling your sleep study:

• Speak with your doctor about medications you are taking. Certain medications can interfere with sleep study results, but don’t skip any medication doses without consulting your doctor first.
• If you are feeling anxious about a sleep study at a clinic, request a tour of the sleep clinic ahead of time. You can also ask about having someone accompany you during the setup portion of your sleep study.

On the day of your sleep study:

• Follow your usual daily routine as much as you can.
• Avoid caffeine from the afternoon on.
• Don’t take a nap.
• If your sleep study is at a clinic, bring pajamas, a toothbrush and other toiletries, something to read, and clothes to change into the next day. You can also bring your own pillow.

How Does a Home Sleep Study Work?

For a home sleep test, you’ll order a monitoring device, equipment, and detailed how-to instructions from your doctor or licensed vendor. Many home sleep tests can be mailed to your address. Before bed, you attach the sensors to yourself and follow the directions. 

Once you’re set up, you simply fall asleep as usual. The testing device collects data throughout the night, then stops collecting data when you wake up and remove the sensors. The doctor can examine your results and provide a diagnosis.

Home sleep tests offer a convenient, often less expensive alternative to visiting a sleep clinic. If you’re considering a home test, Sleep Doctor’s At-Home Sleep Study gives you one-on-one video consultation with a sleep specialist and delivers fast results. It’s available for a fraction of the cost of a sleep clinic study, and best of all, you can take it from the comfort of your own bed, where you’ll likely have an easier time falling asleep.

Currently, home sleep studies are only used to evaluate for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Home sleep apnea tests are often less effective at detecting OSA than polysomnography, so the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Trusted Source Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (JCSM) JCSM is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. View Source (AASM) recommends that they only be used when moderate or severe OSA is suspected and when other health conditions are not present. The AASM also advises that diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea should not be based solely on the results of an at-home sleep study.

If your doctor recommends polysomnography to diagnose or rule out sleep apnea, you can ask whether a home study is an appropriate alternative.

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