During an initial sleep consultation, a sleep specialist will collect information about each patient.
Blood pressure, height, weight and general physical characteristics are used to determine the general
health of the individual. Additionally, the sleep specialist will interview the patient about his or
her sleep habits. The specialist uses the patient's history to evaluate symptoms such as difficulty
falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, daytime sleepiness or fatigue, breathing problems during
sleep, restless legs at night and other various troublesome behaviors. The sleep specialist may
recommend an overnight sleep study known as a Polysomnogram, to further certain complaints.
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A sleep study, or Polysomnogram (PSG), is an overnight recording of sleep patterns and behaviors
associated with sleep. It is performed in order to determine what stages of sleep an individual achieves
and whether any sleep-related abnormalities are present. A variety of sensors are applied with paste or
tape to the body's surface to record brain waves, eye movements, muscle tone, body movements, heart rate
and breathing patterns. Audiovisual recordings are also made, and the oxygen content of the blood is
measured non-invasively with a simple clip on the index finger. These procedures are completely painless,
and although there are connecting wires to the sensors, you are free to get up and walk around as needed.
During the sleep study, every attempt is made to allow for a normal night’s sleep. Some people typically
sleep better or worse when away from home, but in either case this does not usually affect the quality of
the sleep study. Good Night Sleep Wellness Center has a comfortable, quiet, bedroom-like atmosphere with
adjustable firmness settings on each queen size bed. Also, cable TV and DVD players with an enhanced definition
TV are provided for your use in each suite. You wear your own bedclothes, can bring your favorite pillow, a DVD
or magazine/book. Showers and basic toiletries (shampoo/conditioner/shower gel) are available for your use in the
morning. A trained sleep technologist is there to explain the procedure, operate the diagnostic equipment and is
stationed all night in an adjacent control room to both monitor the sleep recording and ensure your comfort and well-being.
Following the sleep study, a board-certified sleep specialist interprets the recording. The findings are integrated
with your sleep history to determine a diagnosis and make the appropriate treatment recommendations. A sleep study
report is also sent to your referring physician, who should review the results with you at a follow-up office visit.
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As a result of a sleep study (Polysomnogram or PSG), you may be diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA),
and may be sent by back to the sleep center for another sleep study with CPAP (pronounced — “see-pap”). CPAP stands
for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and is the most effective and widely used method of treating sleep apnea.
While asleep, this system gently delivers air into your airway through a specially designed mask which fits over
the nose or mouth, thereby creating enough pressure to keep the airway open and produce immediate relief from sleep
apnea and snoring. Most people find they get used to the CPAP apparatus after a few minutes and have little difficulty
sleeping with it in place. It is important to note that the CPAP does not breathe for the person, but instead allows
the person to breathe at a normal rate.
At the beginning of a CPAP study sensors are applied to your body as they were for the Polysomnogram and again brain
waves, eye movements, muscle tone, breathing patterns and blood oxygen levels are monitored. Before you fall asleep,
the sleep technologist will fit you with the CPAP mask.
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In some cases, both diagnosis and treatment of a breathing problem while sleeping can be accomplished in a single
night's study, rather than two separate studies. As with the polysomnogram (PSG), sensors measure your brain waves,
eye movements, muscle tone, breathing patterns and blood oxygen levels. Once asleep, the technologist carefully monitors
the sleep diagnostic equipment for any sign of disrupted breathing during sleep. If interruptions in your breathing
(known as sleep apnea) are observed, the technologist will apply CAP during the second half of the sleep study.
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Patients who experience excessive daytime sleepiness or who fall asleep at inappropriate times may be referred by
their physician to a sleep center for an MSLT or MWT. The MSLT is designed to measure how long it takes a person
to fall asleep during the course of a day. The MWT tests a person's ability to stay awake for a designated period
of time, usually 20 minutes.
The MSLT is conducted on the day following an overnight polysomnogram (PSG). Some of the sensors applied to the skin
for the PSG will be removed, while others remain to record sleep latency (the number of minutes required to fall asleep).
The test consists of five 20-minute nap recordings scheduled 2 hours apart, the first of which is done two hours after
waking from the PSG. During these naps a sleep technologist monitors your sleep/wake patterns. The MSLT takes an entire
day to administer, and is usually completed before 7:00 p.m.
The MWT measures the ability of a person to resist sleep when instructed to remain awake for 20 minutes. It may be done
following an overnight polysomnogram (PSG), but doesn't necessarily have to follow a PSG. It is a daytime study which
usually begins two hours after the normal rise time of the patient and uses sensors on the skin to monitor patients.
Similar to the MSLT, the MWT involves a series of 5 naps conducted at 2-hour intervals throughout the day.
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A. Any sleep-related problem can be evaluated. One common problem can be insomnia, which is trouble falling asleep
or staying asleep. Some of the more popular causes of insomnia are restless legs syndrome (RLS), medication dependency
and anxiety/depression. Another common problem is daytime sleepiness, which may be a result of more serious sleep disorders,
sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
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A. A sleep disorders evaluation is a medical assessment. It may begin with an office visit where you are interviewed
by a sleep disorders specialist, or your physician may simply refer you directly for overnight testing. Because the
diagnosis of many sleep disorders requires you sleep overnight in the diagnostic facility, Good Night Sleep Wellness
Center provides sleep rooms that are private and comfortable in a hotel-like setting. Sleep patterns are monitored by
applying sensors to the skin's surface which record brain waves, muscle tone, eye movements, heart rate, breathing
patterns, and body movements. This monitoring process is painless, and a technologist is available all night to assure
your comfort.
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A. Once you have been referred for a sleep disorders evaluation, overnight sleep testing is a procedure covered by
most insurance plans, as well as Medicare. Good Night Sleep Wellness Center assists you by verifying your coverage
and obtaining any pre-certification or authorization your insurance might require.
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A. Because the evaluation requires that sleep patterns be observed at night, you must spend the entire night at the
sleep center. You will receive one-on-one attention from the technologist. All sleep rooms at Good Night Sleep Wellness
Center contain an enhanced definition TV with a DVD player, and you are welcome to watch television or a DVD (which you
supply). Tests are generally finished by 7:00 a.m. the following morning, but if necessary, special arrangements can
be made to complete the study earlier.
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A. You should bring pajamas, sweats, shorts or any loose-fitting clothing in which to sleep (no nightgowns or underwear
only), a bathrobe and slippers. Any toiletry items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, razor or shampoo may also
be included. You are instructed to also bring a favorite pillow or blanket you may have. Showers (and towels) are available
in the morning if desired.
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A. All medications being taken should first be discussed with a physician before making an appointment for a sleep study.
Certain medications, such as sleeping pills, stimulants, anti-histamines and drugs for anxiety and depression can interfere
with the test results, and may need to be discontinued prior to the evaluation. However, unless instructed otherwise by a
physician, you should continue to take all your medications on the day and night of the sleep test.
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