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Your Sleep Study

 

 

 

*What is a sleep study?
*Why do I need a sleep study?
*What should I do to prepare for my sleep study?
*What should I bring to my sleep study?
*What can I expect when I arrive for my sleep study?
*How long will my sleep study take?
*What do I do if I need assistance during my sleep study?

What is a sleep study?

A sleep study, or overnight olysomnogram is a very thorough look at your sleep patterns. We monitor your brain waves (EEG), eye movements (EOG), muscle movements (EMG) and heart (ECG) via electrodes attached to your body. We also monitor breathing and oxygen levels using various devices. In this way, we are able to determine sleep stages, cardiac rhythm, leg kicking and breathing problems, as well as body position, snoring and the percentage of oxygen in your blood.

Why do I need a sleep study?

Your physician would order an overnight sleep test as a result of:

  • Loud snoring
  • Awakening choking or gasping
  • Stopping breathing at night
  • Tiredness throughout the day or upon wakening
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Long-term difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep

A sleep study is indicated for obstructive sleep apnea, sleep attacks, falling asleep inappropriately, sleep-walking/talking or abnormal sleep behavior reported by others. However, a sleep study is not indicated for temporary periods of insomnia.

What should I do to prepare for my sleep study?

  • Take medications as normal, unless instructed not to by your physician. 
  • Maintain as close to a regular routine as possible and avoid napping on the day of your test.
  • Arrive at your scheduled time. Click here for a list of what to bring with you to your sleep study (link to what to bring)
  • Please turn your cell phone off prior to entering the hospital.

For your own benefit, please do not:

  • Drink any caffeinated beverages after 3:00 p.m.
  • Bring large sums of money or jewelry with you
  • Nap during the day
  • Use hair spray or gel

If you have excessive daytime sleepiness, make sure that someone drives you to and from your sleep study.

What should I bring to my sleep study?

  • Robe
  • Two-piece pajamas
  • Slippers
  • Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
  • Favorite Pillow (if needed, they are supplied by the lab)
  • Medications (continue taking them as usual)
  • Activities to help you relax, for example:
    • -Books/magazines
    -Knitting/needlepoint
    -MP3 play
    -Puzzles/crosswords
  • Snacks (not provided by the centre)
  • Your Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) unit, if you use one

What can I expect when I arrive for my sleep study?

Our technologist will show you to your room, where you will be asked to change into your night clothes and fill in pre-sleep questionnaires. The technologist will then explain the procedure and answer any questions. We will attach you to various types of equipment and then you will be able to relax until bedtime. When you are ready for bed, the technologist will connect the equipment to the monitoring devices. At this point, the equipment will be calibrated and the lights turned out.
There are no side effects for this test.

How long will my sleep study take?

Although you will arrive at the lab between 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., the sleep study itself will not begin until approximately 10:00 to 10:30 p.m. It will last until approximately 6:00 a.m. When the test is complete, our technologist will call your name to awaken you, and will then remove the equipment. You will be free to go when you have filled in the post-sleep questionnaires. If you need to be awakened before 6:00 a.m., please advise the technologist. Most patients are ready to leave between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

What do I do if I need assistance during my sleep study?

The technologist has visual and audio connections to each room. Therefore, we can see and hear you once the test has begun. Simply call out and the technologist will provide you with anything that you need, such as a bathroom visit, extra pillows or blankets. Should you need to get up throughout the study, simply call the technologist for assistance.