Sleep Apnea Polysomnography
If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend a sleep study. Also known as a polysomnogram (poly-som-no-gram), this test is an overnight examination that evaluates your body’s responses to sleep and can help diagnose this condition, along with other sleeping disorders. A polysomnogram may be done in a hospital sleep lab or at home.
A sleep study is usually performed at night, but it can be performed during the day for shift workers or people who typically sleep during the day. It involves spending the night at a sleep center or at a hospital, where you will be monitored as you sleep by sensors that monitor brain waves, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing, eye and leg movements, and more.
The electrodes that attach to your head, chest and legs are connected by wires that transmit data to a computer. The information is interpreted by a qualified sleep specialist to detect abnormalities in your sleep patterns and identify the cause of the problem. A sleep study can help determine if your symptoms are caused by a sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. It can also be used to develop a treatment plan for the disorder, which often involves using a machine that provides continuous positive airway pressure to keep your windpipe open while you sleep. 서울수면다원검사
A common type of sleep study is a diagnostic polysomnogram, or PSG, which is a comprehensive test that records multiple body functions during sleep. In addition to measuring your breathing, the PSG can also determine how much time you spend in light and deep sleep and how many times you wake up during the night. It can also determine whether you have a condition called obstructive sleep apnea, which is characterized by repeated cessations of breathing, sometimes interrupted by choking sensations.
During the diagnostic PSG, you will be asked to avoid caffeine, alcohol and naps during the day, as these can alter your sleep patterns. You should also not take a shower or bath before the test. A clean, dry body is important, since the adhesive used on the test sensors can deteriorate if it gets wet. You should also not put on lotions, gels or colognes.
A sedative is often given just before the test to help you fall asleep, but it is not necessary if you are comfortable falling asleep without it. The test results are interpreted by a sleep specialist, and the doctor will discuss them with you in detail. You will probably be given a diagnosis and recommended treatments, such as weight loss, medication or a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. A follow-up visit with the sleep specialist might be scheduled to determine whether your symptoms have improved with treatment. 연세로의료의원