Visiting a Sleep Clinic

Before your study

Your doctor will tell you how to prepare. Ask if you should take your usual medicines. Also:

• Don't nap.

• Don't use caffeine and alcohol.

• Take a shower and wash your hair (don’t use hair conditioner, hair spray, and skin lotions).

• Eat dinner before you come to the sleep clinic. Pack a snack if you need one before bedtime.

• Bring what will make you comfortable, such as your pajamas, robe, slippers, hygiene items, and even your own pillow.

What you can expect

When you arrive at the sleep clinic, you will usually be checked in by a receptionist. A specialized sleep technologist will meet you in your room. Then, you may change into your pajamas. Small sensors are placed on your head and body with tape and gel. The sensors are then plugged into a machine that will keep track of your sleep. If you need to use a restroom, the sensors can be unplugged. A camera in your room will record your body movements. The technologist will stay in a nearby room. If you need to talk to them, use the intercom.

What a sleep study does

A sleep study keeps track of all the stages of your sleep. To do this, the following are recorded:

• Eye movements

• Heart rate, brain waves, and muscle activity

• Level of oxygen in your blood

• Breathing and snoring

• Sudden leg or body movements

If you have breathing problems, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may be used. CPAP is a device that improves your sleep by helping you breathe. It adds mild air pressure. This is to keep your airway passages open during sleep. CPAP may be needed if you have sleep apnea. It may be used during the second half of your study or on another night.

Getting your results

The sleep technologist can answer some of your questions about the sleep study. Your doctor will talk to you about the results. And they will discuss your treatment choices with you. Your doctor will have the report of your sleep study in 1 to 2 weeks.