Sleep studies, also known as polysomnography or sleep testing, is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate sleep patterns and diagnose sleep disorders. Sleep studies are usually performed in a sleep lab or a hospital and involve continuous monitoring of several biological signals while a person sleeps. These signals typically include brain activity (electroencephalogram, EEG), eye movements (electro-oculogram, EOG), muscle activity (electromyogram, EMG), heart rate and rhythm (electrocardiogram, ECG), and breathing patterns (pneumogram, nasal/oral airflow, and respiratory effort).
The results of the sleep study can help us diagnose a range of sleep disorders, including insomnia, epilepsy, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnoea. Based on the findings, we can recommend a specific treatment plan, such as lifestyle changes, medication, or the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for sleep apnea.
