PSG
What is a polysomnogram?
Polysomnography, also called a sleep study, is a test used to diagnose sleep disorders. Polysomnography records your brain waves, the oxygen level in your blood, heart rate and breathing, as well as eye and leg movements during the study
Sleep studies are important because untreated sleep disorders can raise your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and other medical conditions. Sleep disorders also have been linked to an increased risk of injury, such as falling (in the elderly) and car accidents
What to Expect During a Sleep Study
On the night of your sleep study, you will be assigned to a private bedroom in a sleep center or hospital. Near the bedroom will be a central monitoring area, where the technicians monitor sleeping patients.
You will be hooked up to equipment that may look uncomfortable. However, most patients fall asleep with little difficulty.
Sleep studies can help diagnose:
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Sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea
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Sleep-related seizure disorders
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Sleep-related movement disorders, such as periodic limb movement disorder
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Sleep disorders that cause extreme daytime tiredness, such as narcolepsy
