Nocturnal polysomnography, also known as a sleep study, is the most commonly used test to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
It can also be used to diagnose other disorders such as periodic limb movement disorder, narcolepsy, chronic insomnia and REM sleep behavior disorder.
Once you are scheduled for a visit in one of our Sleep Labs, you will be hooked up to a variety of state-of-the-art monitors feeding information to diagnostic computer systems and software under the supervision of one of our sleep technologists.
During nocturnal polysomnography, you will have some wires, or "leads," that monitor your brain waves, rapid eye movement (REM), respiratory flow and rate, muscle activity, heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels and snoring. A dozen or so leads are
attached to the head and face, while additional sets run from the legs to the computer to detect any twitching or jerking that can signal periodic limb movement disorder.
A highly trained sleep technologist stays overnight in a separate room in the sleep lab, to monitor the video recording and assist patients should they need anything during the night. Your provider will contact you to go over the results of your nocturnal polysomnography.