Sleep Disorder Clinics
There are numerous sleep disorder clinics designed to specifically
diagnose and provide ways for you to overcome your insomnia. If you are put off by the thought of many people
watching you go to sleep, you should know that sleep disorder centers are set up to help people with sleep
disorder, so you will get solutions to your sleep problems.
If you are not sure if you need to go to sleep disorder clinics, these are some of the symptoms which indicates a
need for sleep disorder center:
-insomnia due to psychological disorders
-sleeping problems due to substance abuse
-snoring and sudden awakening with gasping for breath (possible sleep apnea)
-severe restless legs syndrome
-Excessive and persistent daytime sleepiness
-Narcolepsy or sudden “sleep attack” during the day
What can you expect in the sleep
clinic?
You will be tested with polysomnogram to record your physical state during various stages of sleep and wakefulness.
This provides data to help evaluate changes during sleep, such as blood oxygen levels, respiratory events, muscle
tone, heart rate, the extend of snoring and sleep behaviour.
Usually you will make an appointment for your visit, which will take place at night. The sleep center may send you
forms requesting your medical and sleep history prior to your appointment with the doctor. The form may ask for
your bed partner's responses to some of these questions, since you may not be aware that you snore, stop breathing
(sleep apnea) or kick your legs when you sleep. It also may provide tips and some special instructions for your
sleep test.
Before your sleep test, you may meet with a physician or sleep specialist, who will go over your medical and sleep
history. You may participate in a "split-night" test, in which half the night will be used to diagnose your sleep
problem, and the other half will be used to treat the problem. This is sometimes done with patients who are being
tested for sleep apnea.
After your arrival at the sleep center, you may be asked to complete a questionnaire on your sleep the night
before. Many sleep centers offer a video or other information about the sleep study or specific disorders such as
sleep apnea, since a significant percentage of those who have sleep tests are suspected to have sleep apnea. The
video may also address what you should expect during the sleep test to ease any fears that you may have. Then you
will be asked to change into nightclothes.
After changing, a polysomographic technician will connect you to the electrodes that will record your brain waves
and muscle movements throughout the night. The electrodes are placed in specific areas and applied with
water-soluble glue and tape. The electrodes record brain waves, muscle movement, rapid eye movement (REM), air
intake, and periodic limb movement.
A microphone attached to your neck records snoring, and two belt-like straps around the chest and lower abdomen
monitor muscle movement during breathing. Despite all of the equipment, most people say it doesn't disrupt their
sleep.
After settling into bed, your technician may go to a monitoring room and ask you over an intercom to perform
certain tasks that will show the electrodes are recording properly. You will be observed on a television monitor
during the night, but that is to allow the technician to note your body movements during sleep.
When everything is working properly, the lights will be turned off and you can go to sleep. Many patients are so
chronically tired that they have no problem falling asleep. While you are sleeping, your brain waves will be
recorded to determine when you are awake or in Stage 1, 2, 3, 4 or REM sleep. You will be awakened in the morning
and the electrodes will be removed. Since they are applied with water-soluble glue or tape, removal isn't
painful.
You will need to make an appointment with a sleep specialist to review the results of your study. You might be
asked to complete a questionnaire concerning your sleep the previous night, and then you can go home.
Based on the results of your sleep study, you may be given treatment for a specific sleep disorder. For example,
patients with sleep apnea may be prescribed Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP, which is a device that
gently blows air into your nasal passages to keep the airway open while you are asleep.

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Here are some things you need to bring along with you for your sleep
test:
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