What to Expect in a Sleep Test

If you suffer from sleep breathing disorders, you may be asked to undergo a test to monitor your body as you sleep. Many patients with Obstructive Sleeping Apnea and similar conditions do not realize how often they wake up at night, and thus they cannot properly describe their symptoms. A test provides a true picture of what you go through in a night.

Sleep Clinics

In most cases, you will be asked to spend a night or two in a sleep clinic. These facilities are specifically designed to monitor patients as they sleep. You may be asked to spend the latter half of a night in the lab before you actually go to bed. Once you fall asleep, a sleep technologist will watch your movements and record any appropriate data about them. An electronic device will also keep track of your body's functions to give insight into what is happening inside your body.

Sleep Tests

During your test, better known as a polysomnogram, a medical device will keep track of your breathing patterns, heart rate, blood pressure, and more to see how your body's stats fluctuate throughout the night. This helps doctors confirm or rule out Obstructive Sleep Apnea as the cause of daytime fatigue. Polysomnography (PSG) is an evolving science that provides clear, assessable data that lead to the diagnosis of sleeping disorders.

Not all tests are administered in labs. An ambulatory test involves a lightweight device that a patient can take home to use. If you were to go through a test like this, you would simply bring the device back to the doctor so he can diagnose the data. This does not allow physical monitoring, but it does provide the numerical data that acts as the foundation of the diagnosis.

For our tests, we use the Watch-PAT2000, which you can learn about through this free downloadable brochure.

Scheduling a Sleep Test

If you suffer from a sleep breathing disorder that you would like diagnosed, you may request an appointment with Dr. Udouj to discuss your symptoms and possibilities. He will work with you to determine the best options for your situation, and he will prescribe treatment options after the test is complete. You won't have to suffer from daytime drowsiness and irritability much longer.

Dr. John Udouj is a graduate from The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies - LVI. We utilize the latest equipment and materials to optimize the longevity of the dental work we create and provides best general & cosmetic dentistry in fort smith which includes Family Dentistry Fort Smith, cosmetic dental treatment, Teeth implants fort smith etc.