How is a sleep study conducted?
You will check in and get settled in your room, fill out any required paperwork and change into sleeping clothes.
Before the study begins, a sleep technologist will place sensors on your scalp, face, chest and legs. Keep in mind, hair braids and extensions may interfere with the placement of the electrodes. These will record your brainwaves to determine stages of sleep and other important data regarding your body’s activity during sleep. The sensors are not painful. Rarely, some people with sensitive skin develop minor skin irritation at the electrode sites.
The sleep technologist will monitor you from a separate room throughout the night. We video record sleep studies to ensure we get the most accurate information possible to properly diagnose your condition. The technologist and interpreting sleep specialist are the only ones permitted to view the recording.
Television is allowed before lights go out at 11 p.m. At that point, lights go out in order to allow you as much time to sleep as possible. The TV may cause disruptions in sleep, which may alter the accuracy of the study.
If you are unable to, or choose not to, drive yourself to the test, you must arrange for transportation from the facility between 5:30 and 6 a.m., on the morning after the test.
The physician or sleep specialist who ordered your sleep study will go over the results with you and answer any questions you may have during your follow-up appointment.
How can I sleep with all these wires?
This is a common concern, however, most people do not have any issues getting to sleep with the wires. The wires are bundled together and pulled out of the way so they do not hinder sleep. When in need of a visit to the bathroom during the night, just call the technician and they will disconnect the cable.