Preparing for your sleep study

For the most part, to get the best results out of your sleep study, technicians want you to go about your usual evening routine as much as possible. However, there are
However, there are a certain thing you can do to make the study go more smoothly, and still garner the most accurate results.

What to bring

• If you take any regularly prescribed medications according to your physician’s instructions it is suggested to take them with you.
• Bring sleeping clothes such as pajamas or shorts and a t-shirt. Although your comfort is very important, most clinics prefer you not to sleep naked the night of the study.
• It is not necessary but if you desire you may bring your favorite pillow or blanket if desired.
• Bring any other specialty items you may need for sleep or will need first thing in the morning such as toiletries, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair dryer, etc.

What to do before arriving for the study

• Try to avoid naps during the day so that going to sleep will be easier during your study.
• Wash and dry your hair before going to the clinic. Do not apply sprays, conditioners, gels, or oils to your hair. There are a number of electrodes that will be administered and these substances can adhering equipment difficult.
• Remove nail polish from index fingers. You will be wearing a pulse oximeter on one index finger.
• Have your evening meal prior to showing up for your study.
• Try and avoid eating or drinking anything with caffeine a few hours before your study. If possible, avoid caffeine after your lunch.
• Have all paperwork given ahead of time filled out?
• Notify the sleep clinic if you need to come in early or show up later so that you can better be accommodated.
• Let the clinic know ahead of time if you have any special needs (e.g. trouble getting in/out of bed, anyphysical limitations, nocturnal enuresis, impairments, etc.).

What to do upon arrival and what to expect

• Notify your sleep tech of any prescription medications and recreational drugs you take (be as honest as possible for best results).
• If your physician prescribes a sleep aid for the night of the study, ask the technologist when to take it.
• You’re going to be hooked up to a lot of monitoring equipment that takes about an hour to apply. Please be patient and take direction from your technologist.
• Sleeping with a lot of equipment on can be a little uncomfortable, but your technologist will do everything they can to make you as comfortable as possible.
• Your technologist will administer the study from another room, but you will have an intercom next to your bed if you need to contact them anytime during the study.
• For more information on the procedures and equipment used in a sleep study click here.
• Your results will not be ready the following day. Both the technologist and the sleep physician will need to interpret the study’s data.

 

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale