Rest Easy: What to Expect During Your Sleep Study
A sleep study, also known as polysomnography, is a crucial diagnostic tool for identifying sleep disorders. Understanding what to expect during a sleep study can help alleviate any concerns and prepare you for the experience. At Conway Medical Center’s Sleep Disorders Center, patients receive expert care in a comfortable environment, making the process as smooth as possible.
What is a Sleep Study?
A sleep study monitors your body’s functions during sleep to identify any disruptions or abnormalities that may indicate a sleep disorder. These disorders can range from sleep apnea, which involves breathing interruptions during sleep, to restless leg syndrome, insomnia, and narcolepsy.
Preparing for Your Sleep Study
Before your study, your doctor will provide instructions on how to prepare. This typically includes avoiding caffeine or alcohol in the hours leading up to the study and ensuring your hair is clean and free of any products, as sensors will be attached to your scalp. Bringing comfortable sleepwear and any personal items that help you relax can also enhance your comfort during the study.
What to Expect During the Study
Upon arrival at Conway Medical Center’s Sleep Disorders Center, you’ll be greeted by a sleep technologist who will guide you through the process. The center is designed to provide a home-like atmosphere, with comfortable rooms that help you feel at ease.
The technologist will attach sensors to various parts of your body, including your scalp, face, chest, and legs. These sensors monitor your brain waves, eye movements, heart rate, breathing patterns, and oxygen levels, among other functions. While the setup may feel unusual, it is not painful, and the technologist will ensure you’re as comfortable as possible.
Once the sensors are in place, you’ll be able to relax in bed and attempt to sleep as you normally would. The study typically lasts for a full night, but in some cases, it may be extended into the daytime to monitor napping or wakefulness.
Monitoring and Results
During the night, the sleep technologist will observe your sleep patterns from a nearby control room, ensuring that all data is recorded accurately. If necessary, they may enter your room to adjust sensors or assist with any discomfort.
After the study, the recorded data will be analyzed by a sleep specialist. This analysis will help your doctor understand your sleep patterns and diagnose any disorders. The results are typically available within a few days, and your doctor will discuss the findings with you in detail.
Why Choose Conway Medical Center’s Sleep Disorders Center?
The Conway Medical Center’s Sleep Disorders Center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, ensuring that you receive care that meets the highest standards. The center’s team of sleep specialists and technologists are highly trained to provide a thorough and accurate diagnosis of sleep disorders.
In addition to a state-of-the-art facility, the center offers personalized care tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re dealing with a common sleep disorder or a more complex condition, the team at Conway Medical Center is dedicated to helping you achieve better sleep and improved overall health.
Overcoming Your Sleep Disorder
A sleep study is a vital step in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. By understanding what to expect and choosing a reputable facility like Conway Medical Center’s Sleep Disorders Center, you can approach your sleep study with confidence and peace of mind. Your journey to better sleep and better health starts with a thorough understanding of your unique sleep patterns, and a sleep study is the key to unlocking that understanding.
A New Way to Enjoy Your Sleep Study: In A Hotel!
Sleep studies have historically taken place within clinical sleep laboratories. These controlled environments allow clinicians to monitor your sleep patterns, brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and other physiological markers. However, clinical settings like this may inadvertently influence your sleep, potentially skewing the results.
Recognizing this limitation, Conway Medical Center is employing alternative environments that mimic the familiarity and comfort of home. The Four Points by Sheraton in Myrtle Beach, with its cozy rooms, plush beds, and quiet surroundings, offers accommodations for conducting sleep studies that reflect more natural sleep conditions.
By replicating home-like conditions at our Sleep Disorders Center at the Four Points by Sheraton, we can gain deeper insights into your sleep patterns and potential disorders, and ultimately create better sleep-related interventions and treatments to help you get a better night’s sleep. And you get to enjoy the accommodations of an overnight stay in a premier hotel environment.
Talk with your primary care doctor today to see if a sleep study is right for you. With a referral from your provider, we can get you on your way to a better night’s sleep.
