Polysomnograms (PSG)
A polysomnogram (PSG), or sleep study, is a test that electronically transmits and records specific physical activities while you sleep to help diagnose sleep disorders.
There are four kinds of sleep studies, including:
- Diagnostic overnight PSG: General monitoring of sleep and a variety of body functions during sleep, including breathing patterns, oxygen levels in the blood,heart rhythms, and limb movements
- Diagnostic daytime multiple sleep latency test (MSLT): The MSLT is used to diagnose narcolepsy and to measure the degree of daytime sleepiness. It measures how quickly you fall asleep in quiet situations during the day. It also monitors how quickly and how often you enter REM sleep. To ensure accurate results, it is performed on the morning following a diagnostic overnight PSG.
- Two-night evaluation PSG and CPAP titration: CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is a sleep apnea treatment that involves the delivery of air into the airways through a specially designed nasal mask. On the first night of the two-night protocol, general monitoring and diagnostic evaluation is conducted. If sleep apnea is discovered, the patient returns for a second night to determine the necessary CPAP pressure required to alleviate apnea.
- Split-night PSG with CPAP titration: Split-night PSG is conducted when moderate or severe sleep apnea has been discovered or strongly suspected during the first part of the night’s study. The second half of the night is used to determine the necessary CPAP pressure required to alleviate apnea.
