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SLEEP STUDY

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A sleep study is a non-invasive, overnight exam that allows the doctor to monitor you while you sleep, to observe what's happening in your brain and body.

It may be done either in a sleep lab within hospital or at sleep centre. While you sleep an EEG monitors your sleep stages and the cycles of REM and non-REM (NREM) to identify possible disruptions in the pattern of your sleep.

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Sleep study is recommended by the doctors when the patient is suspected to have:

  • Sleep Apnea / Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder

  • Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

  • Narcolepsy

  • REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder

  • Unusual Behaviours During Sleep

  • Unexplained Long-Lasting Insomnia

  • Sleepwalking and Sleeptalking

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Sometimes you may able to do the sleep study at home. Home Sleep Apnea Test used to help diagnose OSA

Sleep Lab Setup

While you sleep, a sleep technologist monitors your:

  • Brain Waves

  • Eye Movements

  • Heart Rate

  • Breathing Pattern

  • Blood Oxygen Level

  • Body Position

  • Chest and Abdominal Movement

  • Limb Movement

  • Snoring and Other Noises

Video Credits To: Cleveland Clinic Martin Health

TYPES OF SLEEP STUDY

Polysomnography (PSG)

In PSG, a sleep technician monitors a patient who stays overnight at a specialized clinic. A variety of functions are measured throughout the night including, the eye movement, brain & muscle activity, respiratory effort & airflow, blood O2 levels, body positioning & movements, snoring and heart rate.

Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)

MSLT measures how quickly someone falls asleep and how quickly they enter REM sleep during daytime naps. This test primarily used to diagnose excessive daytime sleepiness that may due to narcolepsy or an unknown cause (idiopathic hypersomnia).

CPAP Titration

During titration, sleep technologist determines the amount of air pressure that patient needs from their CPAP so that their machine can be properly programmed for home use. Usually requires 2nd sleep study. When sleep apnea is strongly suspected, a split-night sleep may be an option. In a split-night study, PSG is used to diagnose sleep apnea during 1st half of the night and CPAP titration is performed during 2nd half of the night.

Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT)

HSAT collects data about a patient's breathing, heart rate and other variables overnight. However, compared with PSG, home testing provides less information and the process is not overseen by a sleep technologist

SENSORS USED IN SLEEP STUDY

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Detects & record the electrical activity of your brain (brain waves)

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Detects air movement through your mouth and nose

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Detects & record heart's beating pattern & internal electrical system

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Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography (RIP) detects the expansion of your torso (chest and belly) when you breathe

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Tracks muscle movement

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Reads your pulse & level of oxygen in your blood

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Detects eye activity

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Allow to see & hear what's happening while you sleep

LEVEL OF SLEEP STUDY

Level 1

  • Polysomnography (PSG)

  • Same as level 2, except level 1 takes place in sleep lab and always observed in real-time by a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)

  • With the exception of the ability to diagnose REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder, the monitoring & testing capabilities do not vary from a level 2 to a level 1 sleep study

Level 3

  • Referred as Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT)

  • Done from the comfort of your own home

  • With level 3, you use sleep study kit at home that records your breathing activity, oxygen level & heart rate

  • Tests your snoring & airflow & diagnoses if you have OSA.

  • Best suited for those who suspect they suffer from or who are at risk for sleep apnea only

Level 2

  • Also called as PSG & can be completed from your own home (but some are offered in sleep lab)

  • It monitors your breathing activity, oxygen levels and heart rate and in addition to that it monitors your brain & muscle activity

  • More sensitive than level 3 & can monitor your leg & body movement, detect periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) & provide more in-depth analysis on the overall quality & length of your sleep

Level 4

  • Refers to sleep apnea screening with oximetry

  • Measures blood oxygen level and may also include measuring heart rate

  • Usually used to test for pediatric sleep disorders

Level of Sleep Studies

For inquiries about our Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT)

Reference​

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  1. Careica Health (2020, August 21). Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Sleep Studies: What's the Difference? Which is Right for You? Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://careicahealth.com/level-1-level-2-and-level-3-sleep-studies-whats-the-difference-which-is-right-for-you/#:~:text=A%20sleep%20study%E2%80%94also%20called,where%20the%20test%20takes%20place.

  2. Mayo Clinic (n.d.). Polysomnography (sleep study). Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/polysomnography/about/pac-20394877

  3. Cleveland Clinic (n.d.). Sleep Study (Polysomnography). Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/12131-sleep-study-polysomnography

  4. Sleep Foundation (n.d.). Sleep Studies. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-studies

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