As you toss and turn, you resist the urge to look at the time. Whatever it might be, you’re not going to like it, and you’re sure your alarm will go off at any minute. It’s been like this for months now, and what started as annoying is now becoming dangerous. You noticed yourself nodding off while driving, and that’s when you knew you needed to do something about your sleep problems. After doing a little research online, you think you might have sleep apnea, but you’re unsure. What should you do?
Often, the first step to getting treatment for a sleep disorder is to get a sleep study done. Why is this helpful? Today, Dr. Jeff Rodgers is going to talk about how a sleep study may be your first step to finally getting a full night’s rest.
What Is a Sleep Study?
The main goal of a sleep study is to help your doctor determine if you are suffering from a sleep disorder. If you are consistently having difficulty falling and staying asleep, they will probably recommend that you complete one.
A sleep study is a medical test used to monitor your breathing and physical/neurological behaviors while you sleep. A full test is conducted in a lab where you will be observed by technicians. On the night of your sleep study, you will go to a lab, and they will attach a variety of monitors to you to keep track of various biological indicators during the course of the night. Some people worry that they won’t be able to sleep in this environment, but fortunately, the technicians don’t need you to be asleep a full 8 hours to get the information they need. After it has been completed, your doctor will look at the data collected and determine if you have any sleep disorders, and then advise you on how to get treatment.
In some cases, your doctor may let you perform a sleep study at home. For this, you will be given a device to wear while you sleep that will monitor you, and your doctor will look at its readout afterward.
Why Would I Need a Sleep Study?
As we mentioned earlier, you should get a sleep study completed if you are having consistent sleep issues. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor:
- Extremely loud, disruptive snoring
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Consistently waking up out of breath
- Consistently waking up drenched in sweat
- Chronic morning headaches
- Dry or sore throat in the morning
- Difficulty staying awake during the day
How A Sleep Study Helps
A sleep study enables your doctor to observe signs of sleep disorders that are not easily seen with the naked eye. Certain breathing patterns may be indicative of particular conditions, as well as certain brainwave patterns. A sleep study provides your doctor critical information so that they can not only make an accurate diagnoses, but also recommend the best approach to treatment. It is an important first step to helping you finally rest, and should always be the first part of any treatment plan for a sleep disorder. It helps provide answers to all the questions you’ve been having as to why you aren’t able to sleep. Armed with the information from a sleep study, you can finally take the steps to get treatment.
Have Questions?
If any of the symptoms listed above sound familiar, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with a sleep doctor to be tested. Dr. Rodgers works with many qualified local sleep doctors, so you can always call our office for a recommendation.
If you have any other questions about why you should get a sleep study, or what to expect during one, please call our office and we’ll be happy to answer all of your questions.