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After an initial consultation by one our sleep study specialists and depending on your symptoms, you may need to have a sleep study to measure the amount and quality of your sleep, as well as determine the source of any sleep disruption.

Sleep studies involve measuring your brain waves, muscle tone, heartbeat, breathing patterns and body movements while you sleep. Daytime or overnight sleep studies take place in one of Northwest Hospital Sleep Center’s eight, state–of–the–art, soundproofed suites, complete with a private bathroom and cable television. Patients sleep in regular beds with high-end Sleep Number mattresses. The sleep rooms are outfitted with the most advanced diagnostic technology available. In some cases, testing may also involve a series of naps the following day. Other tests may be ordered as appropriate.

A sleep specialist will analyze your study. Based on the results, recommendations and treatment options will be suggested to you and your healthcare provider. Follow–up care is important in treating all sleep disorders.

On the Day of Your Study

DO:
• Eat dinner before you check in at Registration.
  
• Bring loose, comfortable sleeping attire, a favorite pillow and necessary toiletries.
  
• Bathe, shampoo hair and shave before arriving. Men with beards do not need to shave off their beard.

DO NOT:
• Consume any alcohol, and limit food or beverages containing caffeine.
  
• Take any naps.
  
• Bring valuables (including personal computers, cellular phones, etc.), as we cannot be held responsible if they are lost or misplaced.
  
• Conduct business activities during your stay in the lab.

While undergoing the study, we make every effort to make you feel as comfortable as you would be in your own home. Please feel free to bring any reading materials or activities with you.

What to Expect

A sleep technologist will be assigned to monitor your sleep throughout your study. To prepare you for your study, several small sensors will be placed on your head, chest and leg regions. These sensors collect information about brain wave activity, breathing, heart rate and body movements during sleep. There are no needles or pain involved in conducting a sleep study.

The study will measure the amount and quality of your sleep. After your study is completed, the results are analyzed or "scored" by a sleep technician, interpreted by our medical staff, then developed into a report. The findings are sent to your referring healthcare provider in a written format.

Results

Unless otherwise arranged, the physician clinic providing your initial consult will try to see you 5 to 7 working days after your study. At that time, your healthcare provider will explain the results of the testing to you. Due to the complexity of this information, the results should be reviewed in person.

The Need for Additional Studies

Depending upon the nature and severity of your condition, you may be asked to return to the sleep lab for an additional night of study. An additional study (if needed) should last approximately 12 hours.