Sleep Care

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
  • What it is: Breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to airway blockage.
  • Symptoms: Loud snoring, gasping, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches.
• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
  • What it is: The brain fails to signal breathing muscles, causing pauses in breathing.
  • Symptoms: Similar to OSA, but often less snoring. May have daytime shortness of breath.
• Insomnia
  • What it is: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early.
  • Symptoms: Tiredness, difficulty concentrating, irritability.
• Narcolepsy
  • What it is: Brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles, causing excessive daytime sleepiness.
  • Symptoms: Sudden sleep attacks, muscle weakness (cataplexy), sleep paralysis.
• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
  • What it is: Irresistible urge to move legs, often with uncomfortable sensations.
  • Symptoms: Leg discomfort, relieved by movement, worse at night.
• REM Behavior Disorder (RBD)
  • What it is: Acting out vivid dreams during REM sleep.
  • Symptoms: Kicking, punching, yelling, or jumping out of bed during sleep.
• Circadian Rhythm Disorders
  • What it is: The body's internal clock is out of sync with the desired sleep schedule.
  • Symptoms: Difficulty falling asleep or waking up, daytime sleepiness.

• Diagnostic Sleep Study (Polysomnography): A comprehensive overnight sleep study conducted in a sleep lab. It monitors various body functions during sleep, including brain waves, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate, and breathing patterns, to diagnose sleep disorders.
• Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT): A simplified sleep study conducted at home, used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. It monitors body position, breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and heart rate.
• CPAP/BiPAP Titration: A sleep study conducted to determine the optimal pressure settings for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) therapy, which are used to treat sleep apnea.
• ASV Titration: A sleep study conducted to determine the optimal settings for Adaptive Servo-Ventilation (ASV) therapy, a more advanced form of positive airway pressure used to treat complex sleep apnea or central sleep apnea.
• Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Titration: A sleep study conducted to adjust the settings of the hypoglossal nerve stimulator, a surgically implanted device that stimulates the tongue muscle to prevent airway obstruction during sleep.
• Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): A daytime sleep study used to measure how quickly a person falls asleep. It is often used to diagnose narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.
• Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT): A daytime sleep study used to measure a person's ability to stay awake and alert. It is often used to assess the effectiveness of treatment for sleep disorders or to evaluate a person's fitness for duty in safety-sensitive occupations.

We want to make your sleep study as comfortable and informative as possible. Here's what to expect:

• Before Your Appointment: We'll send you an informational letter and a sleep questionnaire to help us understand your sleep patterns. We'll also call to confirm your appointment.
• Night of Your Study: Please arrive at our lab at 8 p.m. A friendly, well-trained technologist will greet you, show you to your private study bedroom, and explain the study process.
• Getting Set Up for Your Sleep Study: Approximately 45 minutes before your normal bedtime, your technologist will begin attaching sensors to your head, chest, abdomen, and legs. This process is completely painless, and the wires are long enough for you to move comfortably in bed. You'll also be able to use the restroom as needed during the night.  Please note: a sticky paste is used to attach the head sensors, so consider your hairstyle. This paste washes out easily in a normal shower.
• After your study: Your study will conclude at approximately 6 a.m. If you need to leave earlier, please let us know when you arrive so we can accommodate this. Once the technologist wakes you, they will remove all the wires and as much paste from the head leads as possible. Your results will be sent to your referring physician within one to two weeks of your study completion. 

We want to make the referral and insurance process as smooth as possible. Here's what you need to know:

• Physician Referral: A referral from your physician is required to schedule a sleep study.
• Insurance Requirements: Most insurance companies have specific requirements for sleep study coverage:
  • Face-to-Face Visit: A face-to-face visit with your physician to discuss your sleep concerns and overall health is typically required. This allows your doctor to document your symptoms and medical history.
  • Pre-Approval: Many insurance plans require pre-approval for sleep studies, which can take up to 14 days. We will work with you and your insurance company to obtain this pre-approval. Some insurance plans may initially only approve a Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT)

Before the Sleep Study

• What should I bring to my sleep study?
  • Comfortable pajamas, toiletries, any medications you normally take (unless otherwise instructed), and anything you need for your bedtime routine (e.g., a book).
• What should I avoid before my sleep study?
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the afternoon and evening before your study. Also, avoid napping.
• Can I eat before my sleep study?
  • Yes, you can eat a normal dinner, but avoid heavy or spicy meals close to bedtime.
• Can I take my medications before my sleep study?
  • Yes, take your medications as prescribed, unless your doctor has given you specific instructions to stop them.
• What if I can't sleep during the study?
  • It's common to have some difficulty sleeping in a new environment. Our technologists are experienced in helping patients relax and get comfortable. The most important thing is to try to relax and follow your normal bedtime routine.
• What if I need to use the restroom during the night?
  • You are free to get up and use the restroom as needed. The sensors are designed to allow for movement.
• What if I have to leave early?
  • Please let us know when you arrive if you need to leave earlier than the scheduled end time so we can accommodate your needs.
• How do I prepare my hair for the study?
  • Please arrive with clean, dry hair, free of oils, gels, or hairspray. A sticky paste is used to attach sensors to your scalp, so consider a hairstyle that will allow for easy application and removal.

During the Sleep Study

• Will the sleep study hurt?
  • No, the sleep study is completely painless. The sensors are non-invasive and simply monitor your body's functions.
• How will I be monitored during the study?
  • A trained technologist will monitor you throughout the night using video and audio equipment.
• Will I be able to sleep with all those wires on?
  • The wires are long enough to allow you to move comfortably in bed. Most people adjust to the sensors quickly and are able to sleep normally.
• What if I get uncomfortable during the night?
  • You can alert the technologist, and they will assist you in adjusting your position or addressing any discomfort.
• Is the room private?
  • Yes, you will have your own private bedroom for the study.

After the Sleep Study

• When will I get my results?
  • Your results will be sent to your referring physician within one to two weeks of your study completion.
• Who will interpret my sleep study results?
  • A board-certified sleep specialist will interpret your sleep study results.
• What happens after I get my results?
  • Your physician will discuss your results with you and recommend the best course of treatment, if necessary.
• How do I remove the paste from my hair?
  • The paste washes out easily in a normal shower.