Have you been assigned to a diagnostic sleep study? It can sound a lot more complicated and, at times, even more intimidating than it actually is. However, we assure you that diagnostic sleep studies are simple, non-intrusive procedures that we conduct regularly in order to gain a thorough understanding of your sleeping habits.
The following article will give you a thorough understanding of diagnostic sleep studies; from what they are, to why you may need one, to the kinds of diagnostic sleep studies services that we provide at Manse Medical.
What is a diagnostic sleep study?
A diagnostic sleep study, like the name suggests, is a study conducted in order to observe a patient’s sleep in order to potentially diagnose any sleep disorders they may be experiencing. These studies consist of observations related to the physiological activities of the body that occur during sleep, including the monitoring and recording of:
- Breathing and oxygen levels
- Leg movements
- Brain wave activity
- Eye movements
- Heart rate
- Body position
These signals are recorded so that sleep professionals can identify the different stages that occur during sleep, as well as the physiological responses that occur within the body during the night. These bodily activities potentially correspond with various kinds of sleep disorders.
Why would someone have a diagnostic sleep study?
There are two specific reasons why a person is assigned a diagnostic sleep study.
One is that the patient’s profession requires their alertness (such as a driver, pilot, or someone that regularly operates heavy machinery). In this case, it is important that the patient is able to stay awake under normal circumstances, which is why the patient needs to undergo the diagnostic sleep study.
Another reason is that the patient may be suffering from symptoms that suggest they have a sleeping disorder. The patient will be referred to a sleep study by their general practitioner if they are showing signs of:
- excessive daytime tiredness
- snoring
- experiencing the sensation of choking while asleep
- someone has witnessed that you stop breathing during your sleep
- restless legs
- difficulties falling asleep, or difficulties getting back to sleep during the night
- waking unrefreshed
- morning headaches
If a patient exhibits any of these signs, there is a possibility that they might be suffering from sleep disorders such as:
- Breathing disorders (e.g. central or obstructive sleep apnoea, etc.)
- Parasomnias (abnormal actions or behaviours that occur during sleep)
- Hypersomnolence disorders such as narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia
- Circadian-rhythm sleep-wake disorders
- Sleep-related movement disorders such as bruxism, periodic limb movement disorder, restless legs syndrome, etc.
Additionally, a GP might refer somebody to a diagnostic sleep study if they are experiencing any health conditions that can be caused or exacerbated by sleep disorders, such as;
- High blood pressure
- Cardiac disease
- Heart failure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Stroke
What kinds of diagnostic sleep studies does Manse Medical provide?
Attended Level-1 Sleep Studies
If you are referred for an attended Level-1 sleep study, you will be admitted to either a sleep clinic or a hospital (sleep tests are not conducted at our clinic). Sleep Technologists will be with you throughout the process, providing education and the setup for the overnight sleep study. They will also monitor you throughout the entire night to ensure a comprehensive collection of data and your well being.
You may also be referred to attend a sleep centre or a hospital for a CPAP titration sleep study. A CPAP titration sleep study is for patients previously diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is used to manage OSA. It is important to trial this treatment in a sleep centre or hospital (rather than at home), as this allows an accurate analysis of pressure requirements to treat your OSA, comprehensive education on the treatment and the trial of different masks for your therapy.
If you are currently using CPAP and require a follow-up sleep study to assess whether current treatment parameters are effective, please bring your own CPAP mask (and chinstrap if you use one) on the night of your sleep study.
When you are booked for an attended Level-1 sleep study, our admin team will provide you with more information about the process and what to bring on the night.
Home Sleep Tests
If you are referred for a home sleep test, your doctor believes that you either fit the criteria to have a Level-2 sleep study conducted at home or that you have a high probability of moderate-to-severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. (OSA).
A home sleep test is not as comprehensive as an attended Level-1 sleep study, however, they can be effective in diagnosing moderate-to-severe OSA.
A home sleep test involves attending a Manse Medical location, or an approved Manse Medical partner, to be set-up with sleep study equipment that you will wear home for that night’s sleep.
The equipment is returned in the morning, where the data collected is downloaded and sent to Manse Medical’s Sleep Physicians for analysis.
Depending on what is found from your home sleep test, you may be referred back to your GP to discuss the results, or if the home sleep test confirmed significant OSA, you may be recommended an attended Level-1 CPAP titration sleep study for the trial of treatment.
When you are booked for a home sleep test, our admin team will provide you with more information about the process and what to bring with you for the equipment set-up.
What kinds of diagnostic sleep studies are there?
There are multiple kinds of sleep study that can be performed in order to monitor and diagnose sleep disorders in patients. While they achieve the same goal in monitoring patients for signs of sleep disorders, there are significant differences in each of the sleep disorders listed below.
Polysomnography
A polysomnogram (PSG) is a diagnostic sleep study that is conducted overnight in a sleep centre or hospital to determine a sleep disorder that is likely afflicting a patient. This test monitors the patient’s brain, breathing and muscle activity throughout the stages of their sleep to identify any disturbances caused by their sleep disorder.
Multiple Sleep Latency Test
This test is used for patients that are affected by excessive daytime sleepiness and may be suffering from narcolepsy or hypersomnia. The patient undertakes several naps while connected to sensors that identify when they enter REM sleep.
The test measures how long the patient takes to fall asleep once the lights go out. The patient should be woken up after 15 minutes of sleep. If said patient is unable to fall asleep within 20 minutes, the nap trial should be ended.
Each successive nap should take place two hours after the last one. There are a total of five naps that should be conducted throughout the test.
CPAP Titration
This test is used to determine a patient’s eligibility for CPAP treatment by assessing whether or not they are being affected by sleep-related breathing disorders such as OSA, CSA or hypoventilation. This test involves the use and close monitoring of a CPAP machine with the patient.
A CPAP machine involves the use of a mask that provides continuous air to patients, allowing them to breathe through any obstructions that may occur while they are sleeping due to their sleep apnoea.
During the CPAP titration, the sleep professional will change their patient’s CPAP pressure remotely as needed during the night. The patient starts at low levels of pressure, which are then gradually increased when events are seen.
A patient may need a CPAP re-titration study if their previous symptoms like snoring, apnoea, or daytime sleepiness come back despite their CPAP treatment. This allows for determination of their correct pressure setting.
Split Night Study
This test is a study that combines a polysomnography and a CPAP titration in a single night for a patient; both diagnosing their sleep disorder and asserting their eligibility for CPAP treatment. This is a viable alternative for patients who don’t want to have those tests occur over multiple days.
During the first part of the night, the patient will undertake a polysomnography and follow up the remainder of the night with CPAP titration. The split night study determines the patient’s PAP settings during the same night without them having to come back another night for another test.
Maintenance of Wakefulness Test
This test determines the patient’s ability to stay awake for an extended period of time in a dimly lit and quiet environment. This can be used to determine whether or not a patient’s current sleep disorder treatment plan is working, or if it needs to be revised.
It consists of four components known as wake trials. The first trial is conducted between 90-180 minutes after the patient has woken up from their last major sleep period, and it involves the patient sitting in a dark room for 40 minutes, at which point the patient is supposed to stay awake. The trial ends either after the 40 minutes have transpired, or if the patient falls asleep for more than 90 seconds. The other trials occur two hours after the previous trial and operate in exactly the same way.
Where can I get a diagnostic sleep study?
Book your appointment online by selecting your preferred clinic and choosing from the list of available specialists.
