Common Questions Regarding Sleep Studies
- WHAT IS A SLEEP STUDY?
- WHY ARE SLEEP STUDIES ORDERED?
- DO PEOPLE REALLY SLEEP WITH ALL THOSE WIRES AND RECORDING DEVICES?
- WHO WILL BE AT THE SLEEP DISORDERS CENTER AT THE TIME OF THE SLEEP STUDY?
- WHAT DO WE DO BEFORE THE TEST STARTS?
- ARE SLEEP AIDS GIVEN TO HELP PATIENTS SLEEP?
- WHAT TIME DOES THE TEST START?
- WHAT TIME DOES THE TEST END?
- WHAT IS AN MSLT?
- WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SLEEP STUDY?
- ARE SLEEP STUDIES COVERED BY INSURANCE?
WHY ARE SLEEP STUDIES ORDERED?Sleep studies are also known as polysomnograms. A polysomnogram is generally ordered when a sleep disorder is suspected. Sleep disorders, if untreated, may be detrimental to an individual’s physical, emotional, and social well being. Sleep technicians or Polysomnographers perform sleep studies. The sleep technicians have been trained to perform and interpret the results of polysomnograms.
Before a sleep study can be performed the guest must be hooked up to a number of wires or electrodes, as well as other monitoring devices. These wires and sensors will monitor sleep and breathing during the study period. The wires are called electrodes and will be placed on the head, face, chest, and legs to record brain waves, eye movements, chin tone, leg movements, and heart rate. Belts will be placed around the chest and abdomen to monitor the breathing effort. A sensor and probe will be placed under the nose and over the mouth in order to monitor the air-flow .and carbon dioxide coming from the nose and mouth. A microphone or sensor will be placed on the neck in order to listen for snoring. Finally, a probe will be placed on the finger in order to monitor the oxygen level in the blood. Once the sleep study is initiated, data is collected by a computer. After the data is collected the test is scored by a technologist and interpreted by a physician.
No needles are used during the preparation for the sleep study; the procedure is essentially painless. The skin preparation may cause minimal discomfort. There is also a slight possibility that a red mark will be left after the site is prepped for the electrodes. The technician must use a mild exfoliate or liquid sandpaper in order to scrub away any dead cells, oil, or dirt that could interfere with the signal. This technique is performed with a cotton-tipped applicator.
DO PEOPLE REALLY SLEEP WITH ALL THOSE WIRES AND RECORDING DEVICES?Sleep studies are performed for a number of reasons. If you are unsure as to why a sleep study has been ordered then you should contact the physician who ordered or recommended the study.
If you would like more information about types of sleep disorders and/or problems associated with a particular disorder please checkout our website, any of the websites listed in our brochure or request one of our resources handouts. We also have many resources available at the sleep disorders lab. If you would like more information and/or a tour of the sleep disorder’s center, please call the lab between 8 A.M. and 4 P.M. to schedule and appointment. Feel free to stop in hotel lobby at anytime to pickup handouts.
WHO WILL BE AT THE SLEEP DISORDERS CENTER AT THE TIME OF THE SLEEP STUDY?Surprisingly, most of our patient’s sleep very well. Think of your night with us as a vacation away from home. We provide our services in comfortable hotels for comfort and convenience of our patients.
The electrodes and sensors are applied in a way that allow our patient’s to turn and move during sleep, and to remain mobile prior to sleep. Our staff will make your and / or your child’s stay in the seep lab as comfortable as possible. If you should require special accommodations please let us know at least one week in advance so that we are able to make the necessary arrangements.
WHAT DO WE DO BEFORE THE TEST STARTS?First stop at the reception desk at the hotel lobby. The receptionist will call our sleep technician who will greet you in the lobby. After introducing him or herself, the technician will take you to your room for the night. Once in the sleep center the staff will explain the steps that need to be taken to prepare for the sleep study. There will be a number of forms to complete. Our technicians will try to make your or your child’s stay in the Sleep Lab as pleasant and comfortable as possible.
A parent or legal must stay during the sleep study with our child guest who are under the age of 18. Due to limited space and to respect the privacy of our other patients, we do not allow other family members to stay. However, we do welcome other family members to visit during the setup procedure. We would prefer that guests do not stay with our adult patients.
ARE SLEEP AIDS GIVEN TO HELP PATIENTS SLEEP?Most of the time between your arrival and the start of the test is spent preparing for the sleep study and completing paperwork. Otherwise, you and / or your child are welcomed to watch TV, read, or play games. We encourage you to bring any items that will make the stay more comfortable. You may bring a radio, CD player, Personnel DVD player or video game system if you wish. However, all entertainment devices must be turned off at the start of the test.
WHAT TIME DOES THE TEST START?Typically no, we prefer that patients stop taking sleeping medications for at least seven days before the test. Please do not discontinue any medications without consulting a physician, continue taking as prescribed unless directed otherwise by your physician.
WHAT TIME DOES THE TEST END?Patients 15 and older should plan to arrive between 8:30 P.M. and 9 P.M. Children under 15 are asked to arrive between 7:30 P.M. and 8 P.M. The bedtime will depend on the typical bedtime of the patient we try to stay as close to the usual schedule as possible. We ask that all patients be prepared to sleep by midnight.
WHAT IS AN MSLT?Depends on the type of study ordered and the time required to complete the study
- Standard Overnight Sleep Study and CPAP Titrations - We require at least 6 ½ hrs. of study time, patients are generally awakened between 05:30 and 06:00 the next day. We will work around your sleep schedule.
- Sleep Study with a Multiple Sleep Latency Test - This type of study requires an overnight study followed by a study with 4 – 5 daytime naps. The naps are scheduled 2 hours apart with the first nap starting 1 ½ to 2 hours after being awakened. Sleep study generally ends between 4 - 6 P.M.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SLEEP STUDY?A Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT) is generally ordered in order to assess for daytime sleepiness after an overnight study is performed and monitored for quality of sleep.
The MSLT is a series of naps performed 1 ½ to 2 hours apart. For instance, if the guest awakens at 6 A.M. then the first nap will be performed at 8 A.M, remaining naps will be performed at 10 A.M., noon, 2 P.M., and if needed at 4 P.M. A fifth nap is only performed if previous naps are inconclusive.
If an MSLT is scheduled, plan to bring plenty of things to keep you and/or your child busy during the day. We also recommend comfortable clothes to wear during the day. Most of the wires from the over night study will remain on for the MSLT. A modest breakfast and lunch will be provided.
ARE SLEEP STUDIES COVERED BY INSURANCE?The entire sleep record is thoroughly reviewed. This includes analysis of the different stages of sleep as well as identifying respiratory events, abnormal heart rhythm, and leg movements. The sleep physician then reviews all records in order to confirm a specific diagnosis. It may take up to two weeks for a final report to be faxed to the referring physician.
The electrodes and sensors are applied in a way that allow our patient’s to turn and move during sleep, and to remain mobile prior to sleep. Our staff will make your and / or your child’s stay in the seep lab as comfortable as possible. If you should require special accommodations please let us know at least one week in advance so that we are able to make the necessary arrangements.
Although, we cannot speak for individual policies, sleep studies are generally covered to some extent. We encourage you to contact your own insurance carrier in order to avoid any misunderstanding; you may be responsible for co-pays and deductibles. Technicians are not familiar with the billing process and are not permitted to discuss insurance or billing related questions or issues with our guests.
Many insurance policies require an authorization before services are provided. A Sleep study cannot be performed if your insurance requires an authorization and the authorization has not been received prior to the night of the sleep study, unless previous arrangements have been made.
In order to verify coverage there are three things your insurance carrier will need to know:
- That the study is performed as an outpatient procedure.
- The name of the diagnostic test you will be undergoing,
- The insurance CPT codes for the diagnostic test, which are (PSG) 95810 and (MSLT) 95805.
Sleep Questions and Answers
- Do people really suffer from sleep problems?
- Why would anyone want to consult with a sleep specialist or have a sleep study in order to diagnose or treat a sleep disorder?
- What are the causes of sleep disorders?
- How many different types of sleep disorders are there?
- What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
- Why would I want to have my sleep study at a Great Lakes Sleep Diagnostic facility?
Why would anyone want to consult with a sleep specialist or have a sleep study in order to diagnose or treat a sleep disorder?Yes!!!! Most alarmingly, a large percentage of individuals suffering from sleep disorders are undiagnosed and untreated.
The statistics are staggering:
- 100 million people of all ages suffer from poor sleep
- An estimated 35 million suffer from a sleep disorder.
- 50,000 premature and preventable deaths from Sleep Apnea.
- approximately 1 in 4 people experience a form of sleep disordered breathing
- Up to 15% of people may experience Restless leg syndrome, a disorder the results in very disturbed sleep due to uncontrollable leg movements or discomfort.
- An estimate 30 million people snore
- Estimated 5 out of 100 people have Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- More than 35 million Americans complain of chronic insomnia.
What are the causes of sleep disorders?Because:
- 50,000 premature and preventable deaths are caused from Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Insomnia is a very common symptom of depression
- National Sleep Foundation estimates that at least 100,000 auto accidents each year are sleep related.
- Sleep-related accidents result in 71,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths.
- Sleep apnea in children has been linked to SIDS , enlarged tonsils/adenoids, ADA, and obesity.
- The loss of productivity, traffic and occupational accidents , and health care costs related to Obstructive Sleep Apnea cost taxpayers in the United States alone, in excess of $60 billion.
How many different types of sleep disorders are there?There are many causes of sleep disorders, for instance:
- OSA results from the collapse of upper airway tissue that causes an obstruction in the airway.
- Other causes of sleep disturbances include psychological stresses, psychiatric disorders, poor sleep hygiene, chronic pain, misuse of sleeping pills, jerking muscle contractions, gastro-esophageal reflux and lifestyle problems such as the use of stimulants.
- Physical ailments, such as disorders of breathing or muscle activity are believed to be the cause of half of all insomnia cases.
- Most people who suffer from OSA are unaware of the disorder, the patients spouse or bed partner is generally the first to identify the problem.
- A large percentage of patients suffering from sleep disorders are undiagnosed!
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?The second edition of The International Classification of Sleep Disorders lists over 80 different sleep disorders. The sleep disorders are divided into 8 different categories, some of the most common are listed under each category:
- Insomnia
- Sleep Related Breathing Disorders, such as:
- OSA
- Central Sleep Apnea Syndrome
- Sleep Related Hypo ventilation/Hypoxemic Syndromes
- Hypersomnias of Central Origin Not Due to a Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder, Sleep Related breathing Disorder, or Other Cause of Disturbed nocturnal Sleep, such as:
- Narcolepsy with cataplexy
- Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders
- Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder
- Parasomnias, such as:
- Sleep Walking
- Confusing Arousals
- Sleep Terrors
- REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (acting out dreams)
- Sleep Enuresis (bed wetting)
- Sleep Related Movement Disorders, such as:
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Periodic Limb Movement disorder
- Sleep Related Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Isolated Symptoms, Apparently Normal Variants, and Unresolved Issues, such as:
- Long Sleeper
- Short Sleeper
- Snoring
- Sleep Talking
- Sleep Starts (Hypnic Jerks)
- Other Sleep Disorders or those that cannot be classified elsewhere
Sleep disorders are often associated with other disorders, such as:
Search the National Sleep Foundation website for more information.
Why would I want to have my sleep study at a Great Lakes Sleep Diagnostic facility?The statistics are staggering. More than 20 million Americans are believed to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. It is estimated that 2-4% of the adult population and close to 20% of the elderly population suffers from OSA. Other estimates suggest that anywhere from 8-27% of children snore with 2-3% of them experiencing OSA or sleep disordered breathing.
Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common, and one of the most dangerous of all sleep disorders. However, when properly diagnosed it is also one of the most treatable. Untreated sleep apnea can significantly increase the risk for high blood pressure, heart attacks, and even stokes in adults. In children and infants, OSA is often associated with hyperactivity, behavior problems, learning disabilities, sudden infant death syndrome, increased risk of infections, failure to thrive, neurologic damage, and even death.
OSA is characterized by recurrent airway obstructions that may last 10-30 seconds or more. The obstructions may occur 20 to 30 times or more an hour. OSA results in decreased oxygen levels, increased levels of carbon dioxide, and a disruption of the normal sleep patterns, the disruptions are called arousals.
There are different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of apnea. The other types are central apneas, mixed apneas, and partial apneas (hypopneas).
At GLSD, sleep studies are performed by highly qualified Sleep Technicians in luxurious hotel rooms and suites. If you have to sleep away from home, then the next best place is a quality hotel. At GLSD we not only want to test you for a sleep disorder, we want you to enjoy the experience. The more comfortable you are, the better the chance that we will obtain quality test results that will allow us to diagnose and then treat any sleep disorder we find.
- Because we provide a full range of services for our pediatric and adult patients.
- Sleep consultations
- Routine Polysomnograms
- Extended EEG sleep studies for identifying nocturnal seizure disorders
- Multiple Sleep Latency Test
- CPAP / Bi-Level Titrations
- Because of our testing environment.
- Sleep tests that are conducted in hospitals or office buildings after-hours are negative sleep environments limiting the patient’s ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, the environment is often uncomfortable and not conducive to quality sleep.
- Some physicians even set-up sleep labs in examine rooms at their office, not exactly the best place to get a good night's sleep.
- Demand for sleep testing far exceeds current supply of sleep labs.
| About Us | Sleep Diagnostic Services | Physician Resources | News | Affiliates | Feedback and Testimonials Sleep Test | Sleep Study Locations | Resources | Questions | Glossary | Adults | Pediatrics| Contact Us | Home |
| Great Lakes Sleep Diagnostics | 44968 Ford Rd. Suite G | Canton, MI 48187 Phone: 734-335-6662 | Fax: 734-335-6618 |
| Copyright © Great Lakes Sleep Diagnostics, All rights reserved. Site Design by VR Metro LLC |