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1. How do I know if I need a sleep test? Talk to your physician about any sleep problems you may be experiencing. He/she is the best judge. Some common indicators of sleep disorders include problems with falling asleep or staying asleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, repetitive sleep disruption, excessive snoring, increasing forgetfulness and/or irritability. 2. How is the testing done? Your doctor may start with a simple all-night oxygen recording which is done at home to see if you need a full sleep study. During a full sleep study, we use the latest the technology to accurately capture the various parameters of sleep for any age. Our computers monitor brain waves to tell us what levels of sleep you're having. In addition, your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rhythm, body position and snoring is also monitored. Various body movements, such as leg twitching and muscular movements are also monitored. All of these signals are viewed on a computer, down the hall outside of your room, by the sleep technologist. 3. Does diet affect sleep? Yes. Besides the normal caffeine, nicotine and alcohol effects, meals can interfere with your sleep. Any meals that are heavy or that cause stomach upset can affect your sleep. If you need something to eat close to bedtime, consider a small snack, i.e. milk or other dairy product and crackers. Small snacks have the ability to promote sleep. 4.
What are other factors that affect sleep? Environment and exercise. Your environment must be conducive to sleep. Make your room dark and quiet. If you think you're going to get cold in the night, place a blanket at the foot of the bed so you can reach down and pull it up. You should avoid exercise within 6 hours of going to bed. If done too close to your bedtime, it may have the opposite effect and keep you awake. 5. What can I expect? You will be escorted to your private room upon arrival. Most patients are scheduled to come in at around 8 pm and are ready to go home at around 6 am. (The minimum recording time is 6 hours). None of the sensors are painful, and most people are able to fall asleep normally. Occasionally, a second night is needed to fully evaluate your sleep and any treatment that may be needed. You will receive a packet prior to your appointment that will provide more details about how to prepare for your study, such as what to bring with you, etc. You are welcome to come and tour the sleep center, if you wish, ahead of time to help you become familiar with the sleeping facilities. 6. Will my insurance cover my sleep study? Nearly all insurance plans have coverage for sleep studies. Some may require pre-authorization which we will obtain for you. Second night studies are also covered in nearly all cases. Copays and deductibles vary according to your specific plan. We will check on these ahead of time and will notify you of these amounts upon your request. Payment plans can be arranged with us, if needed, for those with limited income and/or high deductibles. 7. When will I know the results of my study? The technician will probably be able to give you some general information in the morning about what he or she observed during the night, but will not be able to give you any specific numbers or a diagnosis. Your test results will be delivered to your doctor within 3-7 business days in most cases. You will then either meet or speak with your doctor by phone to review the results of your study. 8. How will I be able to sleep with all those wires on me? After all the wires are applied, they are gathered up into a kind of "pony tail" behind you so that you will be able to roll from side to side whenever you like without getting tangled up. You will be allowed to get up whenever you need to use the bathroom, etc. 9. What should I do if I need special accommodations? Call and speak with the day shift technologist so that arrangements can be made ahead of time to meet your needs; e.g. You can't drive after dark or require assistance with dressing, toileting, communicating, or mobility. 10. I'm worried about my safety after dark in a strange place. The parking lot and entrance are well lit and easy to find. If you wish, bring a cell phone with you and call us when you arrive and we will be happy to escort you from your car into the building. |