Routine Polysomnography at the Sleep Disorders Institute
According to the National Sleep Foundation, over 50 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder at some point in their lives. Sleep disorders can affect your mood, energy levels and a host of physical symptoms, like your blood pressure and heartbeat. The Sleep Disorders Institute is a full-service sleep disorders program that employs leading sleep specialists who help evaluate and treat sleep disorders with the goal of improving a patient’s quality of life.
If you think you have a sleep disorder, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Common symptoms that often occur in people ages 30 and older include difficulty falling or staying asleep, fitful sleep, loud snoring, difficulty breathing in your sleep, daytime fatigue, moodiness, unusual movements in your sleep and/or dry mouth, sore throat, mental fogginess or headaches upon awakening.
While these symptoms are usually indicative of a sleep disorder, your doctor can’t diagnose you with certainty until a sleep study is performed.
What Does Routine Polysomnography Measure?
A routine sleep study, or polysomnography, is a form of overnight observation. Patients will sleep overnight at the Sleep Disorders Institute in a comfortable, furnished bedroom. A technician attaches a series of painless electrodes with recording devices to measure and collect data throughout the night.
At SDI, about 15 to 16 channels of recording are collected. These may include:
- EOG, EEG, EMG and ECG activity
- Nasal/oral airflow
- Abdominal respiratory effort
- Oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry
- Snoring sounds recorded by audiotape
- Body position recorded by videotape
Essentially, your heart rate and rhythm, body movements, brain wave activity and other key data are measured. The results of the routine polysomnography will be able to confirm or rule out the presence of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy or most other sleep disorders.
What to Expect the Day of Your Routine Polysomnography
On the day of your sleep study, you’ll be asked to arrive on time with comfortable clothing and any prescription medicine you might need. Your hair should be clean, but free of any conditioners, oils or other styling products. You should not drink caffeine after 7:00 pm. No friends or family members will be allowed beyond the reception area, unless the patient is a minor or has a medical necessity. Soap, shampoo, towels, a blow dryer, bed linens and pillows will be provided.
Questions?If you have any specific questions regarding your routine polysomnography, contact the Sleep Disorders Institute at the Richmond University Medical Center, or talk with your doctor today.
