The Basics
Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate � �
What is a sleep study? " � A sleep study is a test that measures how well you sleep and checks for sleep problems. For some sleep studies, you stay overnight in a sleep lab at a hospital or sleep center. � �
In other cases, your doctor can give you a portable sleep monitor to use at home, so you dont have to spend the night in the sleep lab. But you should use a portable monitor only if: � �
- Your doctor thinks you have a condition that makes you stop breathing for short periods while you are asleep, called "sleep apnea. " �
- You do not have other serious medical problems, such as heart disease or lung disease.
What happens during a sleep study? " � Before you go to sleep, a technician attaches small, sticky patches called "electrodes " � to your head, chest, and legs. He or she will also place a small tube beneath your nose and might wrap 1 or 2 belts around your chest. � �
Each of these items has wires that connect to monitors. The monitors record your movement, brain activity, breathing, and other body functions while you sleep. � �
If you have a history of trouble falling asleep, your doctor might prescribe a medicine to help you fall asleep in the lab. If you have never taken the medicine before, your doctor might ask you take it on a night before your sleep study to see how it affects you. � �
Why might my doctor order a sleep study? " � Your doctor will order a sleep study if he or she thinks you have sleep apnea or a different condition that makes you: � �
- Have sudden jerking leg movements while you sleep, called "periodic limb movements. " �
- Feel very sleepy during the day and fall asleep all of a sudden, called "narcolepsy. " �
- Have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep over a long period of time, called "chronic insomnia. " �
- Do odd things while you sleep, such as walking.
How should I prepare for a sleep study? " � On the day of your sleep study, you should: � �
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid drinking coffee, tea, sodas, and other drinks that have caffeine in the afternoon and evening
- Take all of your regular medicines
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 86220 Version 2.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.206 � �
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �
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