What is a sleep study?

 

How long will my sleep study last?
A sleep study usually lasts one night. Depending on the results of the study, additional tests may be required. 

 

What should I bring to my sleep study?

·         A Completed Sleep History Questionnaire

·         Comfortable, loose clothes to wear to bed – pajamas, nightgown, shortsand a tee shirt or sweat clothes

·         Any Medications that you need to take during the night

·         A book or magazine to read before bed

·         You may want to bring your own pillow if you prefer

·         Toothbrush , toothpaste, and other toiletries

 

How should I prepare for my sleep study?

·         Bathe/shower and wash your hair.  Please leave your hair in its natural state.  No hair weaves, braids clips or other devices can be used due to our testing procedures. 

·         Do not apply any lotions, conditioners, gels, or creams to your hair or body.

·         Do not have any caffeine products after 12 noon on the day of your study.

·         Do not take any naps during the day or your study.

·         On the day of your study, please awaken 1-2 hours earlier than normal, if possible.

·         Please notify us in advance if you have any special needs or concerns.

·         Continue to take all of your current medications and bring any medications you take at night o the center.  We do not administer medications.

 

 What time will I need to arrive and leave?
We ask that you arrive at our Sleep Center at your scheduled time. This will allow us to prepare the equipment and will allow you o get acclimated to the sleep laboratory environment before the test begins.  Your test will end at approximately 6:00am and you should be able to leave the laboratory before 6:30am.  If you are not driving yourself, please arrange for your transportation to arrive and depart at the proper times.  We can arrange for you to depart earlier if necessary, just notify the sleep technician of your time requirements upon your arrival at the laboratory. Our Laboratory is equipped only to handle our patients.  Members of your family may stay with you until it is time for testing to begin, then they will be required to leave. 

 

 What should I expect after I arrive?
Shortly after you arrive, you will be taken to your private bedroom.  You will be asked for the completed sleep history form, Insurance card, ID, and other information.  You will also be asked to pay for the co-pay if required.  You will then be asked to change into your night clothes. The sleep technicians will apply electrodes to your face, head, chest, and legs. The electrodes are attached with either paste or tape. There are approximately 15 electrodes along with multiple sensors to be applied, and it takes about 30 minutes to complete this procedure.  You may be able to relax to a book or a television program during this time. 

 Many patients worry needlessly about these electrodes. The electrodes simply record the electrical activity present in your body; they do not generate any electrical current of their own. Most importantly, the application of the electrodes does not hurt. You may feel a little strange with electrodes and wires attached to your face and head, but the procedure is entirely painless.  After your hook-up is completed, you may relax until about 10 PM.

 

What happens at bedtime?
At about 10 PM or later, the technician will prepare to start the recording of your study. There will be a technician in the monitoring room all night. If you need anything during the night, all you need to do is push the call button and speak, and the technician will hear you through the intercom.

 All patients are expected to stay in bed for seven hours. This means that the technicians will generally be waking you up around 6 AM.  At this time they will remove your electrodes.  If you are to be tested during the day, some – though not all – of your electrodes will be removed in the morning. Patients who remain for daytime testing are served breakfast about 7:30 AM.

 

 When will I receive my test results?
A very large amount of information will be collected while you are a sleep study patient. As a consequence, it generally takes a few days to fully score, analyze, and interpret the findings.

 As soon as we complete our analysis, we will send a written evaluation of our findings to your referring physician.  We will also send a copy to you for your personal records.  You may set up a result consultation with your doctor. During this visit, the final results and treatment recommendations should be discussed with you. Please contact the appropriate office to set up this appointment.

 

 Can I have visitors?
While you are undergoing a sleep study, you will not be able to have visitors. A phone is available if you need to contact someone.