What to Expect for Your Sleep Study
So, you're wondering what actually happens during a sleep study. For
most people, it's as easy as falling asleep.
A typical sleep study begins at 9 p.m. and ends at 5 a.m. When you arrive
at Southern Regional, you will be shown to your private bedroom, with
similar amenities to what you have at home. When you're ready to go
to bed, sensors will be applied to the scalp and skin - there are NO needles
used. Blood oxygen is monitored using a cushioned clip that is kept on
a finger throughout sleep. Respiration is monitored by using a thin sensor
placed between the nose and upper lip. Breathing effort is recorded using
belts placed around the chest and abdomen. It doesn't hurt at all.
If you have sensitive skin, you may notice a mild skin irritation from
electrode paste or adhesive.
Then, you just turn off the lights and go off to sleep just as you would
on any other night. As you sleep, a trained sleep technologist will monitor
your sleep from an adjacent control room.
When you wake in the morning, you just get up and go to work at your usual
time. The sleep technicians will send your study for interpretation by
a physician specializing in sleep medicine. Your regular doctor will share
the findings and recommendations with you.
If you then require treatment for sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome or
another sleep disorder, your doctor will work with you, the sleep center
and specialist physicians to find a solution that both fixes your sleep
disorder and fits your lifestyle.