Sleep Study (Polysomnography)

Polysomnography, also called a sleep study, monitors a patient while falling asleep, during sleep, or attempting to sleep. Sleep studies are often used to diagnose sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.

A sleep study is a noninvasive diagnostic test that is typically performed in a hospital or sleep center. Sleep technicians monitor several functions during polysomnography:

• Air flow in and out of the lungs during breathing
• Blood oxygen levels
• Breathing effort
• Breathing rate
• Body position
• Eye movement
• EEG brain waves
• Electrical activities of the muscles
• Heart rate

Before your appointment:

• You may be asked to avoid alcohol or caffeine
• Try to stay awake. Avoid napping
• Do not wear makeup, lotion, gels, cologne or perfume to your study

Bring to your appointment:

• Sleepwear
• Items in your normal bedtime routine to help you prepare to sleep

Overnight sleep studies are more common than daytime studies, so you will most likely spend the night at the sleep center. The room will be dark and quiet, private, and have its own bathroom - much like a hotel room.

Data is usually taken by a sleep technician through a low-light camera, small sensors attached to your body with adhesive, and a small sound system that lets your technician hear and communicate with you. The readings will later be evaluated by the physician to determine how your sleep is being affected.⁴

During the study, the technician may also have you try a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The CPAP machine delivers a constant stream of air that keeps your airway passages open while you sleep. ⁶

After the test is completed, make an appointment with your physician to review the findings and possible treatment. ⁷

Many health insurance plans do have sleep medicine coverage. Check with your insurance company to see if they cover the type of sleep study you need. If you have to pay out of pocket for your sleep study, the price range of sleep studies in the MDsave network is updated in real time at the top of this page.

^{1, 2, 5, 6} Mayo Clinic. Polysomnography (sleep study). https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/polysomnography/about/pac-20394877

^{3, 4, 7} AAST. What is Polysomnography? https://www.aastweb.org/blog/what-is-polysomnography