Sleep studies are tests used to diagnose sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. They involve monitoring certain vital signs using special equipment while you sleep.
They also record the position or positions you sleep in, and any snoring sounds you might produce. The results are then studied by our Sleep Disorders Center team to determine whether you're experiencing a sleep disorder. Sleep studies may take place at home or in an inpatient facility.
Home Sleep Studies
Home sleep studies take place at your home. They're conducted using a portable monitor that records some of the same information as polysomnography, including:
- Blood oxygen
- Air movement through the nose
- Heart rate
- Chest movements
Patients now have the option of having sleep studies sent directly to their home for convenience, rather than picking up the study at our office. The results are then analyzed by our sleep specialists, and we can meet with you in an office setting or through a telehealth appointment.
Home sleep studies do not collect as much information and may not be as sensitive as inpatient sleep studies. They're only appropriate for certain patients.
Inpatient Sleep Studies
Inpatient sleep studies take place at an inpatient sleep center. You will spend the night at our Sleep Disorders Center, and specialists will monitor you while you sleep. Monitoring is done using a polysomnogram, which records:
- Brain activity
- Eye movements
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Blood oxygen
- Air movement through the nose
- Snoring
- Chest movements
Sometimes, inpatient sleep studies are used to find the optimal settings for CPAP machines for patients with sleep apnea.
Ready for an Appointment?
Find a sleep specialist near you, request an appointment, or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) today.
