During a Polysomnogram…
Sticky patches and sensors called electrodes are placed on your scalp, face, chest, limbs, and a finger. While you sleep, these sensors record your brain activity, eye movements, heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and the amount of oxygen in your blood.
Elastic belts are placed around your chest and abdomen. They measure chest movements and the strength and duration of inhaled and exhaled breaths.
Wires attached to the sensors transmit the data to a computer in the next room. The wires are very thin and flexible and are bundled together so they don’t restrict movement, disrupt your sleep, or cause other discomfort.
The polysomnogram recording shows the blood oxygen level, breathing event, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage over time.
If you have signs of severe sleep apnea, you may have a split-night sleep study. During the first half of the night, the technician records your sleep patterns. At the start of the second half of the night, he or she wakes you to fit a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) mask over your nose and/or mouth.
The mask is connected to a small machine that gently blows air through the mask. This creates mild pressure that keeps your airway open while you sleep. The technician checks how you sleep with the CPAP machine. He or she adjusts the flow of air through the mask to find the setting that’s right for you.
At the end of the PSG, the technician removes the sensors.
You will either have a follow up scheduled with the sleep physician to discuss your results or a qualified representative will contact you via phone to discuss your results.
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