• Does every Sutter Sleep Disorders Centers patient undergo a sleep study?
• Why has my doctor recommended a sleep study?
• Are sleep disorders dangerous to my health?
• Can all sleep disorders be resolved?
• What does weight have to do with sleep apnea?
• Do I have to stay overnight for a sleep study?
• What should I bring with me to the sleep study?

Does every Sutter Sleep Disorders Centers patient undergo a sleep study?
Sleep studies may show abnormalities (such as those present in narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome and parasomnias) and breathing issues (sleep apnea) that affect a patient’s ability to achieve a restful night’s sleep. Whether or not you need a sleep study depends on the condition that brought you to the Sutter Sleep Disorders Centers. Most patients complaining of insomnia, for example, do not need a sleep study, as treatment is rarely changed with this type of information.

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Why has my doctor recommended a sleep study?
Your sleep medicine specialist feels that a sleep or wakefulness study will provide a clearer picture of the cause of poor sleep or the extent of a known condition. By getting a precise view of your sleep patterns, the doctor will be better able to arrive at an effective solution.

Reasons for a sleep study in adults include:

• Excessive snoring associated with restless sleep, morning headaches, hypertension, mental confusion and/or obesity.
• Witnessed apnea
• Poor work or social performance
• Impotence
• Excessive daytime sleeping or difficulty falling asleep
• Excessive leg movements during sleep and/or restless legs while awake
• Sleep walking
• Night terrors

Reasons for a sleep study in children include:

• Infants with an unexplained life-threatening respiratory and/or cardiac event
• Children with symptoms of upper-airway obstruction
• Neuromuscular disease with significant muscle weakness
• Snoring associated with behavioral or cognitive dysfunction

Are sleep disorders dangerous to my health?
Any condition that creates daytime drowsiness puts you at risk for mistakes and accidents. Every year, more that 100,000 traffic accidents are attributed to sleepy drivers. In addition to causing daytime drowsiness, sleep apnea can also raise blood pressure and put you at greater risk for developing heart disease. Other conditions, such as parasomnias that create unwanted movement during sleep can put you at risk for harming yourself of others.

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Can all sleep disorders be resolved?
Most patients who come to the Sutter Sleep Disorders Centers are able to achieve normal or near-normal sleep patterns through a combination of medical treatment, behavior modification and coping skills. Some neurological disorders, such as narcolepsy, can be difficult to resolve fully. In those cases, patients often receive treatment coupled with coping skills leading to improvements that allow greater freedom and more normal function.

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What does weight have to do with sleep apnea?
Excess fat around the neck may cause the throat to close down, making it harder to breathe normally and contributing to sleep apnea. While losing weight may be recommended, it is often hard to do if sleep apnea is making you to be too tired to exercise or causing you to eat to stay awake. Sutter sleep medicine specialists often suggest a multi-pronged approach to treating sleep apnea, which may include a continuous positive airway pressure [link to write-up in the treatment section of this site] device, lifestyle changes and weight loss.

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Do I have to stay overnight for a sleep study?
It depends on the type of study being conducted. Most polysomnogram tests require an overnight stay, while a maintenance of wakefulness test does not. Your Sutter Sleep Disorders Centers doctor will be happy to discuss any concerns or questions you might have about a prescribed sleep study.

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How should I prepare for a sleep study and what should I bring with me?
The following preparations should be made just before your stay at the sleep lab:

• Shower and shampoo your hair
• Avoid using anything on your hair after it has been cleaned and dried such as gels, hair sprays, etc.
• Do not wear makeup or jewelry
• Do not use creams or lotions on your skin
• Pack your sleepwear and toiletries
• If applicable, bring your reading glasses
• If you prefer, bring a favorite blanket or pillow
• You may bring reading material or other items that can help you pass the time before bedtime
• If you usually take medications before going to bed, other than sleeping pills, bring them with you

More information about your sleep study is available in our Sleep Study Guide available on this Web site.

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