Sleep Studies

If a patient shows unusual night time behavior , a sleep study (polysomnogram) is often indicated. A sleep study is a graphic recording of data about your sleep and breathing patterns.

Patients undergoing polysomnography are typically referred to a sleep laboratory where they spend the night in a comfortable bed. EEG, and other electrodes are placed on various parts of the body to measure several aspects of breathing, blood oxygen content, eye movement and muscle activity. The electrical signals produced by the sensors are then transferred to a computer for editing into a report.

Symptoms of sleep disorders include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

	Excessive daytime sleepiness
	Trouble falling or staying asleep
	Irritability
	Loud snoring
	Morning headaches
	Depression, reduced sense of well-being
	Forgetfulness
	Lack of energy and motivation
	Leg cramps or continuous, uncontrollable urge to move legs
	Impotence
	Anxiety
	Difficulty learning or concentrating
	Obesity
	High blood pressure
	Awakening with a choking feeling or gasping for air
	Racing heartbeat during the night
	Pauses in breathing during the night
	Restlessness while sleeping
	Nighttime sweating
	Frequent awakenings
	Loss of muscle control associated with strong emotion, such as while laughing or angry

Symptoms are often reported not by the patient, but by his or her bed partner.