Sleep Study Test Explained: Uses, Benefits, and Home Sleep Apnea Testing
Sleep study test, also known as polysomnography test, is a diagnostic test that helps evaluate sleep disorders. It checks for an individual’s sleep stages and cycles. Sleep study at home records various physiological activities during sleep in order to find out when an individual’s sleep pattern gets disturbed and the reasons behind it. This test is usually done at home and is a cost effective and conveninent option to check sleep apnea.
By monitoring an individual’s brain waves, heart rate, breathing, eye and leg movements, oxygen levels, and more during sleep, more insights could be gained regarding disruptive sleep disorders and different types of parasomnias. Some of the most common issues for which this test is conducted includes restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea and REM sleep behavior disorder.
Why get tested for sleep apnea?
Many individuals face a common problem like sleep apnea. It is characterised by low breathing during sleep, potentially leading to low oxygen levels and sleep disruption. Some of the symptoms of sleep apnea include gasping for air during sleep, loud snoring with periods of silence, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, restless sleep, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and heartburn. If sleep apnea is left undiagnosed it may pose risks such as cardiovascular problems, metabolic issues: Increased risk of type 2 diabetes, mental health issues, worsening of ADHD symptoms and reduced quality of life. A simple sleep study test is a sure way to know what causing disturbances in your sleep.
If you live in Delhi-NCR, you can contact your nearest HOD centre to know sleep study price.
Who should consider this test?
PLMD: Leg jerks/movements during sleep
Sleep Apnea: Breathing pauses during sleep, snoring, fatigue
Narcolepsy: Daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep attacks, muscle weakness
Other Sleep Disorders: breathing issues, insomnia, restless legs
Seizures/Epilepsy: Especially during sleep
Sleep Behaviors: Night terrors, sleepwalking, talking in sleep
Medical Risks:
Obesity/Overweight
Heart Disease
Kidney Failure
Diabetes
Hypertension
Other Risks: Family history, hormonal issues, stroke
High-Risk Jobs: Drivers, air traffic controllers, pilots, etc.
Do an online search with keywords sleep study test near me to find out the diagnostic centres in your vicinity offering this test.
Equipment used for a sleep study
For this test, surface electrodes may be placed on your face and scalp to record electrical signals, generated by the brain and muscle activity. To measure breathing, belts around the chest and abdomen are tied. A bandage-like oximeter is also used to measure oxygen in the blood. These instruments use multiple high-performance sensors to record blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and heart rhythm patterns (ECGs), as well as breathing rate during sleep, to get a clear understanding of how the various systems of the body’s organs work, including the cardiovascular system, brain activity, as well as respiratory system, and muscle activity.
The test may also be used to help find out the causes of sleep talking, teeth grinding, and other abnormal behaviors during sleep.
At-home sleep apnea testing
An at-home sleep study involves using a portable breathing monitor that the patient needs to wear overnight. It typically involves sensors to detect breathing through the nose or mouth and movement of the breathing-related muscles in the chest and belly. Here the breathing is monitored and not the sleep itself. For instance, pauses in the absence of breathing and whether the breathing is deep or shallow, is measured. At-home sleep study test is less expensive as comapred to when it is conducted in a clinic. This test also offers the advantage of the comfort of your own surroundings, meaning high accuracy in readings regarding how you actually sleep.
Preparations
There are no special preparations required for this test and you can follow your regular bedtime routine. It is important to not take alcohol or caffeine before the test and wear comfortable clothing. The technician will set up the equipment, and the entire procedure will be explained to you.
Results
Ater you receive the results of sleep test or polysomnogram, your doctor will anlayse data to evaluate the condition, and develop a treatment plan for the specific sleep disorder.
