About the Sleep Tests
As people age, sleep patterns and habits change. As a result, sleep disorders are fairly common in older adults, especially those past the age of 30. At the Sleep Disorders Institute at Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), we offer comprehensive studies that not only test for sleep disorders, but provide further insights into sleep pathology treatment.
Types of Sleep Tests
Essential to preserving the mental and physical health of an individual, sleep is incredibly complex, involving many areas of the brain. Brain wave activity, heart rate and rhythm, muscle activity and other functions are indicators of sleep disorders, and they’re exactly what get tested during the following sleep study tests:
- Routine Polysomnography – This test is used to either confirm or rule out sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia and most other sleep disorders.
- Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) – The MSLT is a routine test that evaluates daytime sleepiness to help determine the severity of sleep apnea or treatment effectiveness. It’s also used to diagnose narcolepsy.
- Nocturnal Polysomnography with CPAP Titration – This test verifies the appropriate CPAP pressures to be prescribed in the treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders.
- Split-Night Polysomnography – Combining elements of Routine Polysomnography and Nocturnal Polysomnography with Nasal CPAP Titration, split-night polysomnography helps obtain diagnostic and treatment data under special circumstances.
- Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) – The MWT evaluates a person’s ability to remain awake when in a darkened room. This test is useful for determining the effectiveness of treatment.
- Specialized Polysomnographic Procedure – This test helps confirm or rule out seizure disorders. It’s also ordered to determine if positive pressure ventilation or negative pressure ventilation is helpful for the treatment of certain sleep-related breathing disorders.
What to Expect
At the Sleep Disorders Institute at RUMC, we perform sleep study tests in private patient rooms – all of which are furnished to make you feel at home. When you arrive for a test, you can expect a painless experience, since all recording devices are placed on the skin’s surface. In order to record sleep patterns, small electrodes will be applied to the scalp, face, chest and lower legs. We’ll also monitor airflow, heart rate, chest movement, abdominal movement and oxygen levels. To aid in your diagnosis, you may also be videotaped or photographed.
During the evaluation, you may experience minor irritation from the paste or cleansing solution used in conjunction with the electrodes. As the recording equipped is extremely sensitive, we ask that you don’t touch the equipment. Patients are responsible for any breakage or damage caused by mishandling.
Leading Sleep Practice in New York
For details about each sleep study test and what to expect during the evaluation, reach out to your referring physician or the specialists atthe Sleep Disorders Institute at the Richmond University Medical Center.
