Let’s discuss the options.
Thesesleep studiesinvolve an overnight stay that is monitored by a trained technician.
There is also a video and audio recording that provides a record of the nights sleep.
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Early treatment may reduce cardiovascular complications ofsleep apnea.
This level of CPAP pressure will be prescribed for home therapy.
The patient often begins the night on a low pressure of their CPAP or bilevel.
As the person goes to sleep, they will be monitored for disruptions in breathing.
Again, the person will be monitored at their higher pressure.
The goal is to minimize apnea and hypopnea events and eliminate snoring.
Often towards the end of this study, the pressures may be increased even further.
This will allow the reviewing physician to make comparisons among the various pressures.
It is similar in setup to the polysomnogram (PSG) described above.
These studies will typically be done after an initial overnight PSG study.
After waking up, an individual will have scheduled nap times throughout the day.
These typically occur every two hours.
A technician will monitor for the onset of sleep and, in particular, REM sleep.
After 20 minutes, the person will be awakened or told that the time for a nap has ended.
Then, in two-hour intervals, this process is repeated.
Typically these will occur over a 10-hour period.
These tests are useful for identifying excessive daytime sleepiness.
In particular, the early onset of REM in these sleep periods may suggest narcolepsy.
Actigraphy
Actigraphyis the measurement of activity with the use of a small, wristwatch-sized gear.
They may be worn for weeks or even months.
These results are often correlated with a sleep diary.
These may also be used to assess sleep problems among children.
The bedtimes and wake-times are noted.
Any periods of wakefulness during the night or naps during the day are also documented.
Sometimes the use ofcaffeine, alcohol, or medications may also be recorded.
In addition, new technologies are being researched that may lead to other monitoring.
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