Once a sleep physician at the Hartford HealthCare Ayer Neuroscience Institute has evaluated you, they will determine if a sleep study is needed. Sleep studies are tests that record what happens to your body during sleep.
The studies are done to find out what's causing your sleep problem. These studies also can find out if you have a problem with your stages of sleep. The two main types of sleep are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM). Normally, NREM and REM stages alternate about four to six times during a night's sleep. A change in this cycle may make it hard for you to sleep soundly.
There are several different types of sleep studies and, based on your health history and symptoms, your doctor will determine which study is best for you. All sleep studies take place in one of our sleep labs, which feature private bedrooms with private bathrooms.Your provider will receive the results of your sleep study and contact you to discuss the next steps.
Preparing for a Sleep Study
Before your sleep study, please follow the following guidelines:
- Do not consume any alcohol within 48 hours of your overnight study.
- Do not consume any caffeinated beverages after 3 p.m. on the day of your sleep study.
- Do not bring large sums of money or jewelry with you.
Please make sure to bring the following items on the evening of your test:
- Personal items needed for you to comfortably prepare for sleep.
- Your own pillow if it will enhance a good night's sleep.
- Any medication you normally take during the hours you will be in the Sleep Disorders Center.
- The completed sleep questionnaire and diary that were provided by the Sleep Center.
Available Sleep Studies
Polysomnogram: This test records several body functions during sleep, such as 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 finds out if you enter REM sleep.
Maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT): This test measures to see if you can stay awake during a time when you are normally awake.
Actigraphy: If your doctor thinks that you may have shift work sleep disorder or another problem with your body's internal clock (circadian rhythm), they may order an actigraphy. 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.
Home sleep testing: Home sleep studies are used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
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