What is a Sleep Study (polysomnogram)

Sleep studies help doctors diagnose sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, periodic limb movement disorder, restless legs syndrome, insomnia, and nighttime behaviors like sleepwalking and REM sleep behavior disorder. Often these disorders cannot be identified with a normal office visit, your doctor needs to gather more conclusive evidence while you're sleeping.

A sleep study is a non-invasive, overnight exam that allows doctors to monitor you while you sleep to see what's happening in your brain and body. For this test, you will be in our sleep lab that is set up for overnight stays. While you sleep, an EEG monitors your sleep stages and the cycles of REM and nonREM sleep that you go through during the night, to identify possible disruptions in the pattern of your sleep. A sleep study will also measure things such as eye movements, oxygen levels in your blood (through a sensor-not a needle), heart and breathing rates, body movements and snoring.

What to expect

The sleep study will take all night. You will check-in between 9-9:30pm and wake up between 5:00-6:00am. Be sure to eat your evening meal before arriving at the Sleep lab.

• Be sure to bring:
  • Medications
  • Comfortable clothes to sleep in, and slippers
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste
  • Change of clothes for the morning
  • Pillows/Blanket (we do provide these items, but you can bring your own if you prefer)
  • Reading material
  • Snacks and a drink
• How to prepare:
  • Do NOT nap on the day of the study.
  • Avoid caffeine after 12 noon.
  • If you feel like you will need a sleeping pill to help you rest please let us know before your appointment.

Results are typically available within the next week.

If test is positive, you may return for a CPAP titration another night.

The sleep program at Alaska Brain Center is accredited by the AASM.