
The sleep specialist will review your medical history and symptoms. How At-Home Sleep Studies WorkĪt-home sleep studies are usually conducted after you have visited a sleep specialist. For example, using the results of an at-home sleep study, a doctor may diagnose sleep apnea, which can either be central sleep apnea or obstructive.Īnd, because you’re in your own home, you may find it easier to fall asleep and get a more accurate picture of your sleep habits. However, they can still provide valuable information about your sleep patterns and whether you have a sleep disorder. For example, they may not include video monitoring. You can take the sleep study in your own bedroom rather than travel to a facility.Īt-home sleep studies are not as comprehensive as those conducted in a sleep lab. These devices are small, easy to set up, and available for rent or purchase.
Should i have a sleep study done portable#
Portable devices that monitor your sleep can be used in an at-home sleep study. If you’re interested in having a sleep study but don’t want to go to a sleep lab, an at-home sleep study may be a good option for you. There may be some discomfort from the sensors, but they can be removed at any time if they are causing pain or irritation.Īt-Home Sleep Tests or Studies: A Convenient Alternative The sensors used in the study are safe and do not emit any harmful radiation.

There are no risks associated with sleep studies. For example, if obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is diagnosed, a doctor may recommend the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The information gathered during a PSG can help doctors prescribe medication or make other recommendations to improve sleep. They also monitor patients with video and audio to document sleep behaviors. The sensors are connected to a computer, which records the data. This type of sleep study is also often called an “unattended” sleep study.ĭuring a PSG, sensors are placed on the head, face, chest, and legs. Patients do not need to be monitored by a sleep specialist.
Should i have a sleep study done full#
Type I sleep studies measure the full range of sleep parameters, so they are considered the most comprehensive. Patients are monitored overnight and their sleep stages are recorded. Type I sleep studies are conducted in a sleep lab with a sleep specialist.At-home sleep studies are officially called Home Sleep Tests (HSTs) and they can either be Type II or Type III. In the United States, sleep studies are categorized as Type I, Type II, or Type III. Sleep studies can also be used to determine the cause of daytime fatigue or sleepiness. Body movementsĪ record of your body movements can help show whether you’re restless or having muscle spasms while you sleep. Your breathing may be different if you have a sleep disorder. We usually breathe more slowly and evenly when we’re asleep. But if you have a sleep disorder, your heart rate may be higher than normal while you’re asleep. Heart rateĭuring sleep, our heart rate usually slows down. Our eyes move as we dream, so monitoring eye movements can help determine what stage of sleep we’re in. They also show whether you’re having any abnormal brain activity that could be causing sleep problems. Your brain waves indicate what stage of sleep you’re in. Conducted overnight in a sleep lab with a sleep specialist, a PSG records the following: Brain waves Sometimes, they are also conducted for research purposes. What is a Sleep Study?Ī sleep study also called a polysomnogram (PSG), is a test used to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. Here’s what you need to know about at-home sleep studies, including how they work and what to expect.īut first, let’s take a look at what sleep studies are and how they can help diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. If you’re curious about what your sleep patterns are like, or you suspect you may have a sleep disorder, an at-home sleep study can be a convenient and easy way to get answers. However, it is now possible to conduct sleep studies at home, using portable equipment that can be rented or purchased. Sleep studies are conducted in a special facility called a sleep lab, sleep clinic, or sleep center, where patients are monitored overnight while they sleep.

A sleep study is a test used to diagnose and treat sleep disorders.
