What To Expect From A Polysomnograph
If you find that you have irregular sleep patterns that include trouble falling asleep, staying awake, unusual behavior during sleep, or an inability to keep a consistent sleep schedule, it's very likely that you have a sleep disorder.
The 4 mentioned problems happen to be the 4 main categories of the myriad sleep disorders. These categories could also be called insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep disruptive behaviors, and sleep-rhythm problems. Estimates state that up to 10% of the adult population in the U.S., approximately 20 million people, suffers from a sleep disorder called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This is an estimate for only one of the 100+ sleep disorders that exist.
When diagnosed by a physician, they will most likely direct individuals with sleep disorders to a sleep center. A sleep center specializes in analyzing people while they sleep and collecting metrics that measure air flow, blood oxygen levels, body position, brain waves, breathing effort, muscle activity, eye movement, and heart rate. The collection of these metrics is called a sleep study, also known as a polysomnograph.
A sleep study (polysomnograph) is done at an accredited sleep center by strategically placing electrodes on your body that collect data while you're sleeping. These tests are generally conducted at night so as to observe your normal sleep pattern. In order to ascertain that there are no irregularities or outside variables, you should refrain from alcohol, caffeine, or any other substances that might affect your sleep pattern.
If the results of the sleep study (polysomnograph) come out normal, you most likely have nothing to worry about. However, abnormal results could be indicators of sleep apnea. Results are generally reported at the sleep lab by using the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) which is used to indicate the severity of potential sleep apnea. By keeping track of the frequency with which you stop breathing for at least 10 seconds, called apnea, and the frequency with which your breathing is blocked for at least 10 seconds, called hypopnea, the sleep study (polysomnograph) produces a score.
You are considered to have severe sleep apnea if your score measures above 30 on the Apnea-Hypopnea Index. A score of 15-30 is considered moderate sleep apnea, while a score between 5 and 15 is considered mild. The score is then combined with the numerous other metrics in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
If you believe you have a sleep disorder, it is important to ask your physician if visiting a sleep specialist at a reputable sleep center might be a good fit for you. If so, REM Sleep Labs is experienced in gathering all the necessary metrics while providing you with a comfortable experience. While it might be a bit intimidating to have electrodes attached to your body while sleeping in a lab, REM Sleep Labs takes care to make sure you feel relaxed during your stay. If your physician recommends you to see a sleep specialist, be sure to inquire to see how REM Sleep Labs can help you.
