What happens during an overnight sleep study (polysomnography)?

During an overnight sleep study, or polysomnography, you will stay at a sleep center where special equipment will monitor your sleep. This test helps doctors understand your sleep patterns and identify any problems.

What Happens

1. Preparation: You'll arrive at the sleep center in the evening. A technician will attach sensors to your head, chest, and legs. These sensors record your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and movements while you sleep.
2. Sleeping: You'll sleep in a comfortable bed. The sensors send information to a computer in another room, where a technician monitors your sleep.
3. Monitoring: The study measures different things like how often you stop breathing, how much you move, and how deep your sleep is.

Why It's Done

Polysomnography is used to diagnose sleep disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome. It helps doctors find out what's affecting your sleep and how it can be treated.

This test is important because good sleep is crucial for your health. Understanding your sleep can help doctors improve your overall well-being.