Seeing a Sleep Physician
If you feel that you or a loved one suffers from a sleep disorder, scheduling an appointment with one of our sleep specialists may be in order.  During your sleep consultation, we will obtain your medical history and perform a physical examination.  It is also helpful to interview the bed partner to obtain their description of what happens while you sleep.

  
Having a Sleep Study
When indicated, an overnight sleep study may be scheduled at a convenient time for you.  You will be asked to arrive at our Sleep Center around 8:30pm on the evening of your sleep study.  In addition to your sleepwear and toiletries, you are encouraged to bring with you a favorite pillow or blanket, as well as bedtime reading material.

  
When You Arrive
Your technologist will explain the process to you before it begins.  You will be invited to ask questions and every attempt will be made to make this a pleasant experience for you.  Since no medications or invasive techniques are administered, having a sleep study is a relatively pain-free procedure.  There is no discomfort during set-up before bedtime.

 
Beginning Your Set-Up 
Once you have changed into your sleepwear, our sleep technologist will begin your set-up.  Adhesive electrodes will be attached to your scalp, face, neck, chest and legs.  Leads (wiring) will be connected from the electrodes to a monitoring system at your bedside.  

Monitoring You While You Sleep
The electrodes and leads will enable us to capture brain waves, eye movements, respiration, muscle movements, breathing rhythms, heartbeats, limb movements and oxygen saturation.  Additionally, an infra-red camera is mounted in your private sleep room to provide us with physical imagery of your movements, as well as your sounds during sleep.  You may feel some minor discomfort during the study, simply from being “all wired up.” 

  
Preparing You for Discharge
Following the study, the only discomfort may be with electrodes being disconnected, which is similar to having a band-aid removed.  A shower is available if you would like to bring a change of clothes and go directly from the Sleep Center to work.  Typically patients awake at 6:00am and are on their way home or to work by 7:30am.

  
Evaluating Your Sleep Data
Your sleep data is then analyzed by one of our senior technologists.  This process is referred to as “scoring.”  The scoring process reduces six to eight hours of sleep data into a manageable report for the sleep specialist.  

Getting Your Results
From that report, your sleep specialist is able to confirm your diagnosis and determine your options for treatment, which will be discussed with you in a follow-up visit to your sleep specialist’s office. 

 
Treating Your Sleep Disorder 
With some sleep disorders, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a return visit to the Sleep Center may be in order for your treatment.  Patients being treated with air pressure therapy will go through all the same steps as in their first sleep study, with the addition of an air pressure mask being applied over your nasal passage and attached via a hose to an air pressure device at your bedside.  The technologist will be observing all of your vital signs to see which air pressure level works best for you.  Many patients report that this is the best night’s sleep they’ve had in years.

  
Having the titration level, the sleep specialist will write a prescription for either a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device or a Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) device.  With CPAP, a continuous stream of air pressure though the nasal passage keeps your airway open while asleep.  With Bi-Level, a two-way system is used to control both the intake and outtake of air pressure through your nasal passage and mouth.  The sleep specialist will also determine whether humidification is needed with your CPAP or Bi-Level device. 

Proper Follow-Up  
Follow-up is very important in the first few months.  The sleep specialist may need to adjust your titration level, add a medication or prescribe some life-style changes to optimize your quality of life.