How Sleep Studies Benefit People Living With Sleep Disorders

A good night's sleep is essential for so many things in life. Without it, you might be unfocused or irritable. The CDC has determined that sleep deprivation is linked to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

Everyone has the occasional night with terrible sleep, but if you have a history of sleep disorders, there may be something else going on. A thorough sleep study can give your doctor the information he or she needs to help you understand the most beneficial treatment for your condition.

Sleep Studies

A conversation with your doctor can determine the best type of sleep study for you. Different types of sleep studies measure different things. For adults, there are six basic types.

Adult PSG

This test is a common diagnostic tool in sleep medicine and can be adapted for children. Of all the types of sleep studies, this is the most basic. Several other types of tests have this test as their base with additional tools to fit the specific needs of the patient. It measures several different things, including heart rate, brain activity, and muscle activity. There is no CPAP used with this test.

Split PSG

This particular test can be done as either a first-time study or if a patient has not been checked for several years. It is for patients who are not using a sleep therapy, like a CPAP, at night. It monitors the same things the Adult PSG does, but if a patient shows signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea during the night, then the patient may have PAP (Positive Airway Pressure) treatment during the test.

Titration PSG

This test is designed to determine the proper CPAP pressure, and as such it is only for patients who are actively using CPAP. It measures the same bodily functions as the Adult PSG, except the patient is using the CPAP.

MSLT

MSLT stands for Multiple Sleep Latency Testing. This test measures how quickly a patient falls asleep during the day after sleeping normally the night before. It is a diagnostic tool for disorders where the patient has trouble staying awake during the day, like narcolepsy. It may be done in conjunction with a PSG the night before, but not always.

MWT

This test is commonly given to bus drivers and other professionals that are required to be awake for long hours. For this test, the patient sits in a dark room and tries to stay awake for 20 minutes. It measures heart rate and oxygen levels and determines how awake a person is during the day.

ApneaLink

Unlike the MWT, this test is performed at night, but it also measures heart rate and oxygen levels, among other things. It's one of the diagnostic tools for sleep apnea. Any of these tests, or a combination, can help your doctor determine the best way to help you sleep better and if there's a disorder affecting your sleep. Sleep is not something most people connect with their overall health, but it has a huge impact.

Sleep deprivation increases your risk of disease, depression, and increases risk of car accidents. Most sleep disorders are easily treatable with one or more forms of sleep therapy, so it's worth having talking to your doctor if you are not sleeping well.

Valley Sleep Center in Arizona diagnoses and treats sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, snoring, narcolepsy, insomnia, and other sleep disturbances for patients in the Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, and Chandler Arizona areas.