Question

Describe the entire process of preparing the patient for polysomnography.

Answer 1

Polysomnography (PSG) is a study or test done while you’re fully asleep. A doctor will observe you as you sleep, record data about your sleep patterns, and may identify any sleep disorders.During a PSG, the doctor will measure the following to help chart your sleep cycles: brain waves,skeletal muscle activity,blood oxygen levels,heart rate,breathing rate and eye movement.A sleep study registers your body’s shifts between the stages of sleep, which are rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep. Non-REM sleep is divided into “light sleep” and “deep sleep” phases.During REM sleep, your brain activity is high, but only your eyes and breathing muscles are active. This is the stage in which you dream.Non-REM sleep involves slower brain activity.A person without a sleep disorder will switch between non-REM and REM sleep, experiencing multiple sleep cycles per night.Observing your sleep cycles, along with your body’s reactions to the changes in these cycles, can help identify disruptions in your sleep patterns.To prepare for a PSG, you should avoid consuming alcohol and caffeine during the afternoon and evening of the test.Alcohol and caffeine can affect sleep patterns and some sleep disorders. Having these chemicals in your body could impact your results. You should also avoid taking sedatives.Remember to discuss any medications you’re taking with your doctor in case you need to stop taking them before the test.Polysomnography typically takes place at a specialized sleep center or a major hospital.Your appointment will begin in the evening, about 2 hours before your usual bedtime.You will sleep overnight at the sleep center, where you will stay in a private room. You can bring whatever is necessary for your bedtime routine, as well as your own pajamas.A technician will administer the polysomnography by monitoring you as you sleep. The technician can see and hear inside your room. You’ll be able to hear and talk to the technician during the night.During the polysomnography, the technician will measure your: brain waves,eye movements,skeletal muscle activity,heart rate and rhythm,blood pressure,blood oxygen level,breathing patterns, including absence or pauses,body position,limb movement,snoring and other noises.To record this data, the technician will place small sensors called “electrodes” on your: scalp,temples,chest legs.The sensors have adhesive patches so they will stay on your skin while you sleep.Elastic belts around your chest and stomach will record your chest movements and breathing patterns.A small clip on your finger will monitor your bloods oxygen level.The sensors attach to thin, flexible wires that send your data to a computer. At some sleep centers, the technician will set up equipment to make a video recording.This will allow you and your doctor to review the changes in your body position during the night.It’s likely you won’t be as comfortable at the sleep center as you would be in your own bed, so you may not fall asleep or stay asleep as easily as you would at home.However, this usually doesn’t alter the data. Accurate polysomnography results normally don’t require a full nights sleep.When you wake up in the morning, the technician will remove the sensors. You may leave the sleep center and participate in normal activities the same day.