Sleep Studies

A trained sleep study technician records the following while you sleep.

• Various sleep waves (EEG and EOG)
• Neuromuscular functions (Chin and legs EMG)
• Heart functions (ECG, heart rate and rhythm)
• Breathing functions (respiratory airflow, breathing efforts, snoring & oxygen level in your blood)

This most objective evaluation of your sleep helps your Sleep Medicine specialist to diagnose and offer a treatment for your sleep and sleep-affected metabolic disorders.

Your doctor has advised you a sleep study for one or more of the following reasons.

• To test for sleep-related breathing disorders like Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)
• To rule out sleep-related breathing disorders as a cause of your uncontrolled blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, recurrent irregular heartbeats (Arrhythmias), uncontrolled Asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), stroke and severe Pulmonary Artery Hypertension
• To test for abnormal behaviour during sleep (Parasomnias)
• To test for Narcolepsy or Hypersomnia
• To test for sleep-related epilepsy.

Diagnostic Sleep Study

• In-Lab (Level 1 Video Diagnostic)

  All the sleep, neuromuscular, heart and breathing functions as well as video are recorded while you stay overnight (9:00 PM to 6:00 AM) in the sleep lab.
  It is considered a ‘Gold Standard’ evaluation of your sleep.
  
  A trained sleep study technician monitors your study in the sleep lab.

• Home (Level 1 Diagnostic)

  All the sleep, neuromuscular, heart and breathing functions are recorded while you sleep comfortably in your home.
  
  A trained sleep study technician monitors your study in your home.

• Home (Level 3 Polygraphy)

  Only the heart and breathing functions are recorded while you sleep comfortably in your home. Sleep and neuromuscular functions are not recorded.
  This is considered a ‘Screening Test’ for your sleep and it's diagnostic value is limited.
  
  A sleep study technician is not present in your home during the study.

Titration Sleep Study

After confirmed diagnosis of a sleep-related breathing disorder like Obstructive Sleep Apnea, this test is performed to find the right amount of air pressure required (through the CPAP mask you wear while you sleep) to prevent your upper airway from collapsing.

This will eliminate the breathing pauses caused by Sleep Apnea, so you will no longer snore or choke in your sleep. You will be able to sleep through the night without your body waking up from a lack of oxygen.

This can be done In-Lab (Level 1) by manual titration or at home by Auto-Titration method.

Split-Night Sleep Study

A ‘Split Night’ Sleep Study is when the initial diagnostic Polysomnography followed by CPAP Titration is performed on the same night.
This is usually done for patients who have moderate to severe OSA (AHI > 20 documented in the first 2 hours of diagnostic study) supported by clinical judgment.

This is essentially In-Lab (Level 1) Sleep Study.

On the day of your sleep study, you should

• Try to follow your regular routine as much as possible
• Avoid napping during the day
• Avoid tea, coffee & cold drinks after lunch
• Take a shower to clean your head
• Avoid using hair oil / gel / sprays that can interfere with recording of the sleep signals
• Remove nail paint from one of the long fingers of your left hand
• Wear comfortable clothes for sleeping
• Avoid tight clothes that may interfere with sensor placement
• Take regular medicines as usual
• Have your dinner preferably before 7:30 pm

• A sleep technician will attach painless sensors to your body for monitoring it while you sleep.
  
  
• These sensors measure your sleep waves, chin muscle activity, heart rate, breathing, oxygen levels, and leg movements.
  
  
• The wires are long enough to let you move around and turn over in bed.
  At the start of the test, you will be asked to move your eyes, clench your teeth and move your legs.
  This will make sure that the sensors are working.
  
  
• Few patients do not sleep as well as they would at home. Occasionally, you may be given medication to help you sleep during the In-Lab Sleep Study.
  This typically does not affect the study results. Nearly everyone falls asleep during an In-Lab Study.
  
  
• In the morning, you may be asked to fill out a morning questionnaire that asks about the quality of your sleep.
  The In-Lab Study is complete once you are awake and the sensors have been removed.

• A sleep technologist will first score your sleep study by marking your sleep stages and identifying any events of abnormal breathing or leg movement.
  The trained sleep physician will then review the results to determine what kind of sleep problem you may have.
  
  
• If you are diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, the next step is a ‘Titration’ study.
  During CPAP Titration, the goal is to find the right amount of air pressure required (through the CPAP mask you wear while you sleep) to prevent your upper airway from collapsing.
  
  
• This will eliminate the breathing pauses caused by Sleep Apnea, so you will no longer snore or make choking noises in your sleep.
  You will be able to sleep through the night without your body waking up from a lack of oxygen.