Sleep Tests
Approximately 50 - 70 million Americans are reportedly affected by Sleep Deprivation. When a patient feels that they have some sleep problems or sleeping disorders they may consult a doctor or specialist for diagnosis. To confirm an initial diagnosis the patient may be referred to a sleep clinic for a sleep test. A sleeping test is therefore used as a diagnostic tool in sleep medicine. A Polysomnography (PSG) is the most common multi-parametric test used in the study of sleep. Sleep Tests
Sleep studies or tests are conducted to confirm and gain additional information about a patient's sleep problems. A sleep test might be used for any of the following conditions: Sleep Test Types
The different types of sleeping disorders and a varity of sleeping test equipment to help with the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Descriptions of these sleeping test types are detailed below. Sleep Test Types - Polysomnogram (PSG)
A Polysomnogram (PSG) sleep test is a recording of sleep usually performed in a sleep center. A Polysomnogram sleeping test involves linking a patient up to recording sensors that monitor breathing, heart rate, movement, brainwaves, etc. The most common sleeping test for diagnosing sleeping disorders. A Polysomnogram might be used to confirm or detect any of the following conditions: A polysomnogram sleeping study will typically record a minimum of 11 channels requiring a minimum of 22 wire attachments to the patient. Sleep Test Types - Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT)
A Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) is used to prove whether a person can stay awake during the day. This sleeping test is usually conducted on people that have a job where vigilance is requires eg. truck drivers Sleep Test Types - Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)
A Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) sleep test to monitor a series of four or five naps during the day after a nocturnal polysomnogram. The MSLT is used to help diagnose Narcolepsy and other disorders of excessive daytime sleepiness. Sleep Treatment Device - CPAP
CPAP is an acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A CPAP is a device used to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea. The machine sends air at a constant, continuous pressure to help keep a person's airway open, allowing the patient to breathe normally. This is a machine that creates a pneumatic split of a person’s airway. A CPAP is generally interfaced with the patient by way of a nasal breathing mask; this mask is worn during sleep and delivers pressurized air to keep the patient’s airway from collapsing as a result of Sleep Apnea. A CPAP mask covering the nose and mouth, helps when patients on CPAP are mouth breathing.
| 
