Have an Upcoming Sleep Test? Here’s What to Expect

Sleep testing in Jupiter can provide you and your doctor with invaluable information about the quality and quantity of your sleep. It can diagnose a range of disorders, including sleep apnea. Still, it’s understandable if you’re nervous about your sleep test, especially if it is taking place in a laboratory rather than in your home. Don’t worry. The test will likely be much easier than you anticipate. Here is a basic overview of what you can expect during the sleep study process:

How to Prepare

Try to stick to your normal routine as closely as possible on the night of your sleep test. If you deviate too much from your usual activities, you might accidentally skew your results. There are only a few things you should do in order to prepare:

• Eat dinner before you come to the lab.
• Arrive at the lab at the pre-planned time — probably around 8 or 9 p.m.
• Bring your medications with you.
• Wear comfortable clothes that you normally sleep in.
• Pack your toiletries and a change of clothes for the morning (most facilities have a place where you can shower and get ready for the day).

During the Test

When you arrive at the laboratory, a technician will go over any necessary paperwork with you. Then, they’ll connect you to the machines that will monitor your sleep. You will likely have nodes on your face and scalp to measure brain activity and muscle movement. Elastic belts around your chest, as well as a nasal cannula, will monitor breathing. A device on your finger will track blood oxygen levels. There will also be a microphone to detect snoring and an EKG machine to keep track of your heartrate.

That’s a lot of hardware, and you might think it will be impossible to sleep with all of that stuff connected to you. However, you might be surprised by how much sleep you get. It is very rare for this type of test to fail because a patient doesn’t sleep for long enough.

After the Test

The technician will wake you in the morning and disconnect all of the monitors. You can then prepare for your day and go about your usual activities. The technician won’t be able to tell you your test results. You’ll have to wait for a bit— perhaps 7 – 10 days or so — to learn what the study revealed.

If your test shows that you have sleep apnea in Jupiter or another sleep disorder, you can begin exploring your treatment options. Hopefully, it will not be long before you are sleeping soundly every night.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a dental sleep medicine expert who focuses on providing oral appliance therapy to help his patients cope with obstructive sleep apnea. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, Dr. Mogell’s team can refer you to a local sleep laboratory for testing. To learn more about how we may be able to get you on the path to higher-quality sleep and improved health, contact Dr. Mogell’s Jupiter office at 561-531-0590.