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Diagnostic
Evaluation
What
Happens During a Typical Recording Period?
Most
patients are recorded during their normal bedtime, in a comfortable,
private, home-like bedroom. This simulates an average sleep period as
closely as possible. Upon arrival at the laboratory, they are greeted by
the polysomnographic technician, who answers their questions about the
test, gives them a brief, pre-sleep questionnaire to complete, and applies
the recording electrodes.
During
the night, the technician monitors the patient from an adjacent control
room. This attention to detail ensures proper operation of monitoring
equipment, quality control, attention to patient comfort, and rapid
intervention in the event of medical emergencies.
Up to
20 different types of information are recorded during sleep testing, which
includes continuous monitoring of eye movement and muscle and brain wave
activity, as well as limb movements, respiratory rate, airflow, breathing
effort, oxygen saturation, heart rate and rhythm. Other specific
physiological parameters may be recorded, if requested.
Upon
completion of the overnight recordings, electrodes are removed, and a
brief post-sleep questionnaire is completed. Occasionally the all-night
sleep recording may be followed by daytime naps for an evaluation of
excessive daytime sleepiness. After the sleep study is completed, the
Sleep Center staff will analyze the recording and perform statistical
analysis, which provides the Sleep Center physicians with the information
necessary for diagnosis and treatment.
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