How to Get a Sleep Study

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1Examining Your Sleeping Habits

2Preparing for the Study

3Going Through the Overnight Process

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A sleep study is an overnight test where medical specialists measure your brain waves, oxygen levels, breathing, and eye and muscle activity while you sleep. The study diagnoses sleep disorders like sleep apnea. If you suspect you may have a sleep disorder, keep track of your symptoms and make an appointment with your doctor. If the doctor agrees, they'll prescribe a sleep test for you. On the day of the test, go through your normal routine and pack the necessary items for your study. Then fall asleep like you normally do to begin the test.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Examining Your Sleeping Habits

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   Identify symptoms that may indicate you have a sleep disorder. There are several disorders or conditions that inhibit your sleep. You may not be aware of them since you’re asleep, or you may wake up feeling tired, restless, sore, or with a headache. Learn some common sleep disorders and their symptoms to identify if you may have a problem.

   • Sleep apnea is a common disorder where you stop breathing in your sleep. Symptoms include loud snoring and waking up constantly throughout the night. You can do a self-assessment for sleep apnea here: http://stopbang.ca/osa/screening.php.
   • Periodic limb movement disorder forces you to extend your legs in your sleep. Symptoms include sore legs and feeling tired in the morning.
   • Narcolepsy causes a sudden onset of intense drowsiness throughout the day. You may fall asleep in random places throughout the day.
   • Sleepwalking, or acting things out in your sleep, is another common sleep disorder. Check your body for bruises or scratches that you don’t remember getting. This could indicate sleepwalking.
   • If you sleep with a partner, ask them to let you know if you do anything strange in your sleep. You may not even be aware of an issue.
   • You can self-assess your sleepiness to determine how much it affects your lifestyle here: https://www.sleepapnea.org/assets/files/pdf/ESS%20PDF%201990-97.pdf.
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   Track your sleeping habits with a sleep diary. If you suspect you have a sleeping disorder, track your sleep. Keep a notebook next to your bed and write down details about your sleep. Bring this diary to the doctor when you book your appointment so they can see what issues you may be having.

   • Important things to write down would be what time you go to bed, when you wake up during the night, vivid or intense dreams, and if you got up to go to the bathroom.
   • Also note how you feel when you wake up. Do you wake up refreshed or are you still exhausted? This can indicate a sleep issue as well.
   • Ask your partner if they observed anything and write that down in your diary as well.
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   Make an appointment with your primary doctor and explain your symptoms. Sleep centers usually require a referral from your primary care doctor, so visit them first. At the appointment, explain any issues you’ve had and why you think you have a problem. Bring your sleep diary with you to show that you’ve documented the issue. Your doctor will examine you and determine if you need a sleep study done.

   • Your doctor may also want you to try a few remedies before referring a sleep study. Common instructions include reducing or eliminating caffeine, changing your medications, or trying relaxation techniques before bed. Follow these instructions and report back to the doctor if they don’t work for you.
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   Get a referral for a sleep study from your primary care doctor. If your doctor agrees that you have a potential sleep disorder, then they will prescribe a sleep study. Getting the referral from your doctor is important because your insurance may not cover the test without a referral. Follow your doctor's recommendations for scheduling your test.

   • Also check with your insurance provider for the cost of the test and what you'll be responsible for. This can avoid any surprise bills after the test.
   • Some sleep centers do accept patients without a referral, but your insurance may not cover the test. In most cases, it's better to see your primary care doctor first for the referral.
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   Schedule a sleep study appointment if your doctor prescribes it. Your doctor may refer you to a particular sleep center, but you'll probably be responsible for scheduling your own appointment. Pick an overnight appointment on a convenient date for you. If possible, schedule it on a night where you have nothing to do the next day, since getting to work following the study may be inconvenient.

   • Some sleep centers ask you to fill out a questionnaire ahead of your appointment. Complete any necessary paperwork before your appointment so the process goes smoothly.
   • If your doctor doesn't refer you to a specific sleep center, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has a list of approved sleep centers. To find one nearest to your home, check http://sleepeducation.org/find-a-facility/.
   • Some insurance policies cover or require doing in-home versions of sleep tests before in-lab sleep tests. Though they aren’t as accurate, they are cheaper and can be done in the comfort of your own home. You may still need to do in-lab tests if your doctor finds something from your in-home test.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Preparing for the Study

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   Go through your daily routine as much as you can on the day of the test. While the impending sleep study may be stressful, it’s important to go through your daily routine normally. Changes in your routine could disturb your sleep cycle and impact the test results. Act as if this is an average day.

   • Go to work as well, unless you work nights. If you want to take a day off, do it the following day when you’re leaving the sleep center.
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   Avoid napping throughout the day. Naps can make falling asleep harder and impact the test results. To avoid problems, stop yourself from napping throughout the day of your study. That way, you’ll come to the sleep center tired and ready to sleep.

   • If napping is part of your everyday schedule, then talk with your sleep specialist about whether you should stay on schedule or skip the nap. In most cases, the specialist will say skip it, even though it’s part of your routine.
   • Short daytime naps are healthy, however, so if this is part of your schedule then there is probably no reason to change that after the study.
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   Stop using caffeine after lunchtime. An afternoon coffee might get you through the workday, but it’ll also make falling asleep harder. Have your morning coffee or tea, but then don’t have any more after lunchtime. This will make falling asleep during the study easier.

   • Consider drinking a decaf variety instead. You may get a placebo effect that gets you through the end of your workday.
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   Avoid using scented body products before the study. Scented products can interfere with the electrodes used in a sleep study. When you shower before the appointment, skip using scented soaps, cologne, or hair gel.

   • If you aren’t sure whether a product is allowed, check with the sleep center first.
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   Pack two-piece night clothes and articles. The sleep specialists want you to be as comfortable as possible for the sleep study, so bring everything you normally use at bedtime. Pack items like your toothbrush, lotions, makeup remover, and anything else you use before bed. Most sleep centers say to bring your normal night clothes as long as they have separate top and bottom pieces. Nightgowns are usually not allowed because the workers have to place sensors throughout your body. Nudity is also typically prohibited.

   • If you usually read before bed, bring something to read as well.
   • Double check if any items aren’t allowed before packing.
   • Remember to bring fresh clothes for the next day as well.
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   Eat before you arrive for the study. Since sleep studies take place overnight, cafeterias are usually closed. Don’t come to the sleep study hungry. Have a good dinner beforehand so you can wait until morning to eat.

   • Some sleep centers allow you to bring snacks. Check if this is allowed before bringing food in.
   • If the testing center instructs you not to eat, then follow their directions instead.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Going Through the Overnight Process

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   Arrive at the sleep center on time. There is usually prep work before a sleep study, so get to your appointment on time. Once you arrive, the specialists will give you a rundown of what to expect throughout the night and hook you up to the necessary machines to track your sleep.

   • Arrival times for a sleep study are usually 6 or 7 PM, but follow the instructions that you’re given.
   • If you have to cancel your appointment, do so as soon as possible to avoid charges.
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   Allow the facility workers to hook sensors to your body. These sensors are sticky electrodes that hook to different parts of your body. They measure your vital signs as you sleep. Stay still and follow the workers' instructions while they attach the sensors.

   • Many people worry that these sensors will hurt or be uncomfortable. They are designed for comfort and after they're in place for a few minutes, you'll probably forget they're attached.
   • The sensors are designed to let you move freely throughout the night, so don't worry about turning over to get more comfortable.
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   Sleep as you normally would. After the workers attach the sensors, you'll be left alone in your room. These rooms look like normal hotel rooms with a private bathroom so make you comfortable. Go through your normal bedtime routine, then go to bed normally and try to fall asleep. The workers will monitor your condition throughout the night.

   • Since you're in a strange place, you probably won't sleep as well as you normally do. This is okay. A full night's sleep isn't required to gather data from the study. Even if you don't sleep well, the test will still be successful.
   • If you have trouble sleeping for more than 4 hours, you may need to take a sleep aid so you get accurate test results for sleep apnea.
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   Tell the facility workers if you feel any discomfort throughout the night. While you'll be in the room by yourself, you can still communicate with facility workers through an audio system. Keep them informed on how you're feeling. If you're uncomfortable or run into any problems, let them know right away so they can take the appropriate steps.

   • If you have to get up to use the bathroom during the night, just say so. A technician will come in and unplug your wires so you can go.
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   Leave the sleep center when the test is complete and await the results. The technicians will probably come in to wake you up around 6 AM the following morning. This gives them enough time to unhook your sensors and send you on your way. Go about your daily routine normally after the study while the sleep center interprets your results. They will contact you once they've assessed the test results.

   • The process can take several days because sleep studies produce a lot of data and a pulmonologist specializing in sleep medicine needs to go over it. If you haven't heard after a week passes, contact the sleep center to see if they've assessed the test yet.
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