Once you have been evaluated at the Piedmont Sleep Disorders Center or referred for a sleep study by your doctor, you will be instructed to come to the sleep lab for an overnight study, termed polysomnography. During your study, your brain waves, eye movements, breathing patterns and air flow, heart rate and EKG, oxygen level, and muscle activity will be monitored throughout the night.
You should eat dinner prior to coming for the overnight study, bring with you pajamas, an overnight bag, toiletries, and a towel to shower in the morning if you would like. Our rooms are extremely comfortable with bedside lighting, televisions with DVD players, ceiling fans, and comfortable bedding. If you have a favorite pillow you would like to sleep with, by all means bring it along.
What do I do upon arrival to the Sleep Center for my study?
What wires are used and how are they held in place during the study?
What about bed time and wake time?
I was told I might need a “nap study”; what does that mean?
When will my results be known?
CPAP, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure, is the first line treatment for OSA. It acts as a “splint” to keep your airway open while asleep (see OSA tab for more details). However, each individual has unique requirements which entail different pressures for effective treatment. Therefore, another test is often required where you are again hooked up with monitoring devices, but this time, a CPAP mask is placed on your face and the pressure is slowly titrated throughout the night to find the optimal pressure where you no longer snore or have breathing problems. If you have any questions about any part of the study, do not hesitate to ask your sleep technician who will be happy to explain further.