Specialties & Services

Sleep Study

The stages of sleep range from light to deep and each stage has measurable characteristics. A sleep study, or polysomnogram, generally takes place in a sleep lab during normal sleeping hours. Sleep studies record brain and body activity that occur during sleep so disorders can be diagnosed and treated.

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Saint Luke’s Sleep Disorders Program is the premier provider of sleep-related diagnostic and therapeutic services. We offer a network of seven sleep centers located throughout the metro and region.

Our doctors and staff specialize in sleep medicine, psychiatry, neurology, and respiratory care—providing advanced treatment for 87 known sleep disorders.

Correctly identifying suspected sleep disorders may require an overnight in-lab sleep study at one of our sleep centers. During a sleep study, our team performs a number of tests as you sleep to measure specific sleep characteristics, such as breathing, wakefulness, and restlessness.

We also offer at-home testing for suspected obstructive sleep apnea—the most commonly diagnosed sleep disorder—which means many patients can test in the comfort of their own beds.

The necessary testing equipment is available from our network of sleep centers, conveniently located throughout the metro area and at our regional facilities.

With Saint Luke’s, you’ll receive instruction on how to properly use the home monitoring equipment. A staff member will show you how to attach the sensors and cords to capture your breathing rhythm, blood oxygen level, and heart rate before you head home. You’ll have time to ask questions and practice.

We’ll also provide detailed instructions on how to best prepare for your test and how to return the equipment for diagnosis. Our goal is for you to feel confident in capturing data accurately.

Whether you need an overnight stay or can test at home, our board-certified sleep specialists will forward a report to your referring provider. Depending on the results, you may need additional tests.

Your sleep study, its analysis, and physician interpretation are part of a complex process. Many hours of work are required by the technologists and sleep specialists in order to fully understand the significant amount of data gathered overnight. The sleep technologist processes, or scores, the data by evaluating the patterns of brainwaves and assigning levels of sleep in 30 second periods call epochs, Then, they’ll assess and define the various types of sleep disordered breathing, review the severity and changes in the levels of oxygen in the blood, mark the frequency and relationship of limb movements, and evaluate the number ofarousals from sleep and how they are associated with activities during sleep.

A board-certified sleep specialist reviews this information and interprets the results. A typical sleep study comprises approximately 1,000 pages of data. Because of this time-consuming and labor-intensive process, sleep studies may take some time to be received by your physician.

Common reasons for a sleep study

Excessive snoring
Sleep apnea (periods where the breath stops)
Daytime sleepiness
Insomnia (inability to sleep)
Narcolepsy (sudden onset of sleep)
Restless legs syndrome (condition causing uncomfortable leg sensations)

Nightmares during nondream stages of sleep (sleep terrors), sleep walking or talking, and rapid eye movement disorders are less common conditions that may also require a sleep study.

What is a sleep study?

There are different stages of sleep. Each stage has aspects that can be measured. A sleep study is a number of tests recorded at the same time during sleep. The tests measure specific sleep aspects and help diagnose sleep disorders. A sleep study may also be called a polysomnogram.

Sleep studies generally take place in a sleep lab during your normal sleeping hours. But they can sometimes be done at home. The goal is to record brain and body activity that happens during sleep. Then any sleep disorders can be diagnosed and treated.

The basic recordings done during a sleep study often include:

Electroencephalography (EEG). This measures brain wave activity.
Electrooculogram (EOG). This measures eye movement.
Electromyography (EMG). This measures muscle movement.
Other recordings. An electrocardiogram (ECG) may be used to record electrical activity of the heart. Video recordings may also be made of you while you sleep.

During a sleep study, these may also be measured:

Breathing patterns. The number and depth of respirations.
Oxygen saturation. The percentage of oxygen in the blood.
Acid/base balance of the stomach. The amount of acid secreted during sleep.
Sleep latency. The time it takes to fall asleep.
Sleep duration. The period of time a person stays asleep.
Sleep efficiency. The ratio of the total time asleep to the total time in bed.

You may also have these tests below. They are done during the day in the sleep lab instead of overnight.

Multiple sleep latency tests (MSLTs). These measure how long it takes to fall asleep.
Multiple wake tests (MWTs). These measure if you can stay awake during specified times.

Health care providers trained in sleep medicine assess test results to treat sleep issues. A trained sleep technician will be with you in the sleep lab during the testing period.

Why might I need a sleep study?

Common reasons for a sleep study include:

Snoring too much.
Having periods when you stop breathing during sleep (sleep apnea).
Daytime sleepiness.
Not being able to sleep (insomnia).
Being very sleepy during the day and falling asleep without warning (narcolepsy).
Conditions that cause leg discomfort. These are called limb movement disorders. They include periodic limb movements during sleep (restless legs syndrome).

You may also need a sleep study if you have unusual behaviors during sleep, such as sleep walking or talking, or rapid eye movement disorders.

Your health care provider may have other reasons to recommend a sleep study.

What are the risks of a sleep study?

There are no known risks for a sleep study other than possible skin irritation from the electrodes that are attached to your skin.

How do I get ready for a sleep study?

Your health care provider will explain the procedure. You can ask questions.
You may be asked to sign a consent form. Read it carefully and ask any questions you have before signing the form.
You may be asked to limit your sleep before the study. For example, you may be asked to not nap.
Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines and any herbal supplements you take. Also tell your provider if you use alcohol before going to bed. Using any of these may change test results.
Don't have products with caffeine for several days before the testing. They may cause you to take longer to fall asleep.
Unless directed by your provider, you won't be able to use sedatives during the sleep study because they can change results.
You may need to fill out a sleep questionnaire or diary before the test. Your sleep partner may also need to fill one out. Do your best to give true responses.
Showering before going to the sleep lab may be helpful. But don't use lotion or oil on your skin, because the electrodes may not stick to the skin.
You may be urged to bring your own pajamas and pillow.
If needed, you may be able to shower and dress for work the morning after the sleep study.
Based on your condition, your health care provider may ask for other preparation.

What happens during a sleep study?

A sleep study is most often done on an outpatient basis at night. Procedures may vary based on your condition and your health care provider's practices.

Generally, a sleep study follows this process:

You will need to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.
You will change into pajamas or a hospital gown.
The health care team will put small metal disks (electrodes) on your head and body for EEG, ECG, EOG, and EMG cables. Tell your provider if you have any allergies to adhesives.
The team will put a small clip on your finger to measure the oxygen level (pulse oximetry) in your blood. The team will also check your breathing.
The temperature of the room may need to be kept at a certain level, but blankets can be added or removed as needed.
Lights will be turned off and monitoring will start before you fall asleep.
For MSLT, short naps will be assigned at intervals.
For MWT, you will be asked to try to stay awake for certain periods.
When the study is done, the electrodes and other devices will be removed.

What happens after a sleep study?

You won't need any special care after a sleep study. Results may take several days. But your health care provider may give you other instructions after the procedure, based on your situation.

Next steps

Before you agree to the test or procedure, make sure you know:

The name of the test or procedure.
The reason you are having the test or procedure.
What results to expect and what they mean.
The risks and benefits of the test or procedure.
What the possible side effects or complications are.
When and where you are to have the test or procedure.
Who will do the test or procedure and that person’s qualifications.
What would happen if you didn't have the test or procedure.
Any other tests or procedures to think about.
When and how you will get the results.
Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or problems.
How much you will have to pay for the test or procedure.