The Sleep Apnea Study

A qualified specialist will analyze the recordings to evaluate your condition.

The day of your test it would be helpful if you don't take a nap, or drink too much liquid after ten pm. Bring pillows etc from home, or whatever makes you comfortable.

It is generally non-invasive and despite being hooked up to various electrodes I didn’t find it difficult to drop off to sleep.

On the night of your test, you will be assigned to a private bedroom or cubicle in a clinic or hospital.

Belts will be placed around your chest and abdomen to measure your breathing.

A bandage-like or fingertip clip oximeter probe will be put on your finger to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood.

Technicians attach the surface electrodes to you before you go to bed, and these will record electrical signals which are generated by your brain and muscle activity on the measuring equipment.

Near the bedroom will be a central monitoring area, where the computer records the data and sometimes technicians monitor patients.

The results are more usually only analyzed and interpreted the next day by the specialist to determine your condition.

Sometimes an EEG (electroencephalogram) may be done to record brain activity.

Or an EMG (electromyogram) to record muscle activity such as restless leg syndrome or the presence of REM sleep.

Or an EOG (electro-oculogram) to record eye movements to determine the different sleep stages.

Or an (ECG (electrocardiogram) to record heart rate and rhythm.

Or a nasal airflow sensor to record air intake and a snore microphone to record snoring rate and severity.

If a breathing disorder is determined, you may be asked to return to the lab for further evaluation in order to determine the best treatment option.

This test is the most valuable tool to diagnose and treat sleep disorders.

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