What To Expect During A Sleep Study

We provide a home-like setting with cozy private rooms. Equipment is non-invasive and allows patients to sleep just as they would at home. Every detail of the process is designed to be comfortable and stress-free. Many patients, in fact, report that they awaken feeling more rested than they have in a long time.

We provide our patients with on site, secure parking.

During a test our technologists will monitor the following:

• Brain Waves

• Eye Movement

• Chin Muscle Tone

• Heart Rate

• Leg Movements

• Respiration

• Oxygen Level

After the study is complete, our registered team of technologists score (prepare) the test, for our board certified physician to read. The results are then shared with the patient’s primary care physician. Referring physicians can expect fast results along with essential documented information that allows them to track their patients progress from the day the referral is sent.

Physical & Medical Effects

Stroke & Heart attack

According to the study, even those with mild to moderate respiratory events during sleep had a twofold higher risk of heart failure. The findings from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-funded Sleep Heart Health Study Research Group also showed that these individuals were at 1.5 times the stroke risk of those with no sleep-related breathing problems.

Obesity

In a study conducted at Columbia University people who slept five hours per night were 73% more likely to become obese within 3 years than those getting seven to nine nightly hours of sleep. People getting six hours of sleep per night were 27% more likely to become obese than those getting seven to nine hours. Look what a difference just one hour more of quality sleep can make.

Injury from accidents

Patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea perform as poorly as drunk drivers and have up to a 15-fold increased risk of motor vehicle accidents.

Increased mortality

Studies show an increased mortality risk for those reporting less than either six or seven hours per night. One study found that reduced sleep time is a greater mortality risk than smoking, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

There are three categories of treatment for obstructive Sleep Apnea:

• Physical or mechanical therapy

• Surgery

• Non-specific therapy

Which therapy is used depends on your specific medical, lab, and physical exams and other findings. Physical or mechanical therapies only work at the time they are properly used. Apnea episodes return when they are not utilized.

1. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment. With the use of a snugly fitted face mask or nasal plug, air is blown into the nasal passages, forcing the airway open and allowing air to flow freely. The pressure is continuous and constant and is adjusted so that it is just enough to open the airway.

2. Dental or oral appliances reposition the lower jaw and tongue, moving them outward, creating something akin to a pronounced “underbite.” Used in mild to moderate Sleep Apnea, this physically opens the airway, allowing the free flow of air. They are custom-made devices usually fitted by a dentist or orthodontist.

3. Surgery opens the airway by removal of tissues, like tonsils, adenoids, nasal polyps, and structural deformities that may obstruct it. There are several types of procedures, but none are completely successful and without risk. It is also difficult to predict the outcome and side effects.

Restless Leg Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement

RLS generally responds well to medication, but since it may occur sporadically with spontaneous remissions, the continuous use of medications is generally recommended for symptoms occurring at least three nights per week. Sleep experts use three types or classes of medications for RLS and PLMD.

It should also be noted that in some cases a simple iron blood test can identify an iron deficiency and a quick trip to the drug store and over the counter iron therapy can fix what ails you.

Narcolepsy
There are both behavioral treatments and medications for this situation, which can make life livable again. General behavioral measures include:

• Avoiding shift work

• Avoiding heavy meals and alcohol intake

• Regular timing of nighttime sleep

• Strategically timed naps

Medications typically involve stimulants in attempt to increase the level of alertness and antidepressants to control the associated conditions. The effects of stimulant medications vary widely and their dosing and timing must be individualized.