What Is Polysomnography?

Polysomnography is a test that’s often recommended if you’re experiencing symptoms that could indicate you have a sleep disorder.

In this blog, the board-certified ear, nose, and throat doctors at eos sleep diagnostics explain what polysomnography is and how it can help you.

What is polysomnography?

Polysomnography is often referred to as a sleep study. This type of diagnostic test can be used if your doctor suspects that you may have a sleep disorder since it provides detailed data about what happens throughout your body as you sleep.

The test monitors your sleep stages and cycles, giving your doctor information about if, when, and how often your sleep stages and patterns are interrupted. It can measure and record your breathing, heart rate, the oxygen level in your blood, blood pressure, your leg and eye movements, any speaking or sounds you may make during sleep, and your brain waves.

When is polysomnography performed?

Polysomnography may be recommended if your doctor suspects that you have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. It can also be performed if you’re already receiving treatment for a sleep disorder and your doctor wants to determine how effective it is.

The following symptoms may prompt your doctor to recommend a sleep study:

• Chronic snoring
• Gasping, choking, or snorting sounds at night
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Trouble falling asleep
• Awakening suddenly at night
• Morning headaches
• Trouble concentrating and remembering
• Uncharacteristic irritability and mood swings
• An unexpected rise in blood pressure
• Risk factors such as obesity, combined with symptoms that could indicate a sleep disorder
• Restless legs
• Suddenly falling asleep during the day

What are the benefits?

Polysomnography is a non-invasive, painless test that requires very little preparation on your part. You’ll be a comfortable environment, and you’ll be able to easily move and communicate with a technician if you need to.

Small sensors will be placed on your head, chest, and legs, and wires will attach them to a machine that measures and records data about what’s happening in your body as you sleep.

When your doctor receives the test results, he or she will be able to correctly diagnose any sleep issues and recommend treatments based on your results. The test eliminates any guesswork and provides specific data that will enable your doctor to provide the best possible treatment.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a sleep disorder or have already been diagnosed and want to see if your treatment is helping, make an appointment today for a consultation and sleep study at eos sleep diagnostics.