Sleep Studies

Sleep studies check out the pattern of a person's sleep as monitored by a physician or sleep specialist. Usually there are many ways of doing a sleep study, the most common of which is just physical observation of the patient. But, the most highly recommended sleep studies for apnea disorders is Polysomnography or what is also known as Polysomnogram (PSG). This is a test, which has various components.

This sleep study is mostly preferred to be accomplished in a place called a "sleep center". Sleep centers are mostly found in special sections of hospitals. Though all hospitals may not have this center, many specialized hospitals have one. The PSG test is fairly expensive though most insurance plans will cover it as part of sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment.

How does a PSG work?

A PSG is an electronic device, which automatically records the sleeping pattern of a patient. It facilitates in recording the various activities that go on while the patient is sleeping. The results are then studied carefully by a specialist who is able to detect the signs of sleep apnea.

The physician gives a set of instruction to the patient concerning their food and medicines before he proceeds with the PSG. This is done mostly to ensure that no other secondary factors affect the proper diagnosis of sleep apnea.

While doing a PSG, there are various tests that are done simultaneously. Some of them are:

1. EEG: EEG, which is otherwise known as Electroencephalogram, records the brain waves. These brain waves are in the form of alpha brain waves, beta brain waves, delta brain waves and theta brain waves. These brain waves are recorded in a person during their different stages of sleep.
2. EMG: The Electromyogram helps in recording the activity that happens in the muscle of a patient while they are asleep. This muscle activity could be anything like the grinding of teeth during sleep by the patient or the movement of the leg muscles. This helps the physician to understand the patient's involuntary muscle reactions during sleep and rule out other ailments like restless legs syndrome.
3. EKG / ECG: An electrocardiogram helps in recording activity of the heart.
4. EOG: An electro-oculogram as the name indicates, records the movement of the eye in a patient especially during the REM stage.
5. The Pulse Oximeter: This helps in measuring the oxygen level.
6. Other devices like the nasal airflow sensor and the chest or the abdomen belt are also used during the process.
7. There is an automatic video recording kept in the room so that the patient's body movement and body positions during sleep can be recorded for analysis later.
8. Other monitoring that is done occasionally are MSLT and titration of CPAP.

Usually overnight PSG sleep studies are commonly ordered for patients suspected to have sleep apnea. Sometimes patients or their doctors may opt for home sleep studies to be done which is more comfortable for most than a hospital stay.