A polysomnogram (overnight sleep study) is noninvasive, painless test that lasts generally one night. It involves recording vital signs and other physiologic variables during a night of sleep in the bedroom laboratory.

• Do not take a nap the day before your sleep study.
• Do not have caffeine, coffee or tea starting at noon on the day of your sleep study appointment.
• On the day of your appointment you should shower and wash your hair. Clean and dry hair is necessary for the application of electrodes to your scalp. Avoid using any hair products, including conditioner, hair spray, or mousse. Refrain from using skin lotions and powders.
• Bring any medications you may need during the night. Avoid stimulants or sedatives unless approved by your physician. Please ask the Sleep Center staff if you are unsure about how the medications you take may affect your sleep study.
• Eat a normal evening meal before your arrival. If you normally eat a small snack before bed, you may bring one with you. No more than your usual intake of alcoholic beverages the day of your study.
• Bring toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.) and appropriate sleepwear. Sweats, shorts, cotton or flannel nightgown, or pajamas will be fine. (Please no sheer or revealing clothing).
• For a more comfortable stay, you may also bring your own pillow & blanket, if you prefer.
• Please leave all valuables, such as jewelry, money, etc., at home.
• The use of line powered 120 Volt appliances are prohibited (i.e. heating blankets, space heaters, etc).

You will be asked to complete sleep questionnaires about your sleeping habits, the day's events, medications taken, and so on.

A sleep technologist will ask you to change into your night clothes or a hospital gown. Small sensors or electrodes will then be attached to parts of your head and body using a water-soluble paste and tape. Flexible wiring is attached to the sensors, which are then connected to a central unit. If you are allergic to adhesive, please notify your tech so, we may use a skin barrier for your protection. A monitoring area is located close to your room. Once all of the sensors, electrodes, and belts are attached, the technologist will take some initial readings while you are awake. You may then read or watch TV before you are ready to go to sleep.

The attached sensors monitor and record various physical activities, such as heart rhythm and rate, eye movements, muscle activity, breathing, leg movements, and blood oxygen levels. Depending on the symptoms you have described to the sleep specialist, some or all of the following will be monitored:

• Brain activity - Multiple sensors attached to your scalp record your brain waves. This reading shows the technologist which sleep stage you are in.
• Airflow - A sensor placed on your upper lip monitors the airflow in and out of your nose and mouth.
• Rapid eye movements - One or two sensors placed on the head next to the eyes record rapid eye movements (REM), which are associated with dreaming.
• Breathing - Elastic belts around your chest and stomach measure your respiratory effort.
• Heart rate - Your heart rate and rhythm are monitored with multiple sensors attached to your chest.
• Oxygen level - A device that measures oxygen levels, is clipped or taped to your finger. In patients with sleep apnea, this measurement can determine how severe the apnea episodes are.
• Leg movements - Sensors are placed on your legs, usually on the shins below the knee.

One or more technologists will observe you the entire night while you sleep using an infra-red video camera. Technologists note if you snore and how loudly, or if you have periodic body movements. They also chart your sleep stages and other measurements. The next step is for you to get comfortable and go to sleep!

Some patients need to spend more than one night in the sleep lab. This will be determined by one of our sleep physicians after the sleep study results are processed and interpreted. These results will be discussed with you at your scheduled follow-up visit.

After you wake up in the morning, the technologist will remove the equipment and adhesive tape. You will also be asked to complete another questionnaire about your night's sleep.

• You should be able to leave between 6am -7am. Unless, you are scheduled for possible MSLT testing.
• If you are scheduled for a possible Multiple Sleep Latency Test (Daytime Nap Study), you will find out at 6am if you will need to stay for further testing. Please, read over the following information as you may stay at our center, in some cases, as late as 4pm.
• We will supply breakfast and lunch. Special diets are available as needed. You are also welcome to bring your own food if you prefer. No caffeine is allowed during this testing process.
• Bring any medications you may need during the day (except stimulants).
• Bring clothing, such as a sweat suit, that is comfortable to nap in. Bring things to do (books, correspondence, laptop etc.) to keep you busy between naps.
• No smoking is allowed inside the Sleep Center
• On the day of the nap study you will be asked to submit a urine sample for a qualitative drug screen

The best option is to use very warm to hot water and shampoo. There are showers available in the Sleep Center.

No. It is impossible because the electrodes and sensors detect the electrical and physical signals that you produce. There is no electricity being sent through the wires to the sensors on your body.

Don't worry - disconnecting the wires to the nearby unit is a fairly quick process and a technologist is always awake and available to help you. You only need to call out and the technologist will come in and disconnect your unit.

This is a very common question. Most people doubt their ability to sleep in the lab, especially if they are unable to sleep well at home. Sleep technologists find that most patients sleep better in the lab than at home. It could be due to the fact that some people feel more secure or less distracted in the lab than at home. Some individuals are simply relieved that someone is taking an interest in their problem, it will soon be diagnosed, and they are on the road to better sleep. Even if you do not sleep well in the lab, polysomnographic testing will most likely be able to determine a great deal of information.

If you need to cancel or change the sleep study appointment, please give our office a minimum of 24 hours notice, doing so would allow our office to call another patient in your place.