Polysomnography

What you should know

• Polysomnography, also called PSG, is a test done to see if you have a sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD). You may have a SRBD if you snore, have daytime sleepiness, are forgetful, or wake from sleep choking. Other signs and symptoms of SRBD's are night sweating, and waking with headaches and dry mouth. Your signs and symptoms may only be noticed by another person in the same room while you sleep. The most common cause of a SRBD is obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea happens when you stop breathing many times while you sleep. SRBD's may increase your risk of having serious medical problems such as heart disease and stroke.
  
  
• PSG is done in a hospital sleep lab, or in your home. Caregivers will tell you how your PSG test will be done. Caregivers will put special monitors on you to record your sleeping activity. The monitors used will help your caregiver learn if you have a SRBD. Monitors use small pads or metal discs, called electrodes, that are put on your skin with special glue. Electrodes may record how you sleep and breathe. They will also record snoring, leg and face movements, heart beat, and oxygen levels.
  
  
• Your in hospital PSG may be done as a single night, or split night test. For a single night test, your sleep will be monitored by caregivers all night. Split night testing is done if you stop breathing at times during the first few hours of the test. If this happens, your caregiver may have you use a breathing machine with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The results of this test may tell caregivers what the best treatment is for you. Once you are being treated, or have been treated, you may need to do another PSG. This will help your caregiver know if your treatment is working.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Risks

If you have a SRBD, a PSG test will help your caregiver learn how to best treat you. Treatment for your SRBD may make your life better. Having a SRBD may make it hard to do normal activities such as work and school. SRBD's cause daytime sleepiness which may lead to car accidents or other injury. SRBD's that are not treated may cause more severe health problems. Untreated SRBD's may cause high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. You may need two or more PSG tests while caregivers treat your breathing problem.

Getting Ready

You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives caregivers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your procedure.
  
  

Your PSG test will be done by caregivers. You will be given information about the test, and what will happen. Caregivers will then clean your skin to put on the electrodes. Any of the following monitors may be used for your PSG test:

• ECG: This test, also called an EKG, helps caregivers look for any problems in your heart. If you have a SRBD, your heartbeat may change during sleep because it does not have enough oxygen. Caregivers may need to prepare your skin by shaving off some hair, or cleaning it with a gritty lotion. Sticky pads are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. Each sticky pad has a wire that is hooked to a machine or TV-type screen. Electrical activity in your heart muscle is recorded.
  
  
• EEG: This test is also called an electroencephalogram. This test is done to see how your brain is working during the different stages of sleep. Many electrodes will be put on your head. Each has a wire that is hooked to a machine. This machine prints a paper tracing of brain wave activity from different parts of your brain.
  
  
• EMG: This test, also called electromyography, measures the electrical activity of your muscles. EMG's are used to check your leg and facial movements while you sleep.
  
  
• EOG: This test, also called electrooculogram, measures your eye movements while you sleep. Electrodes may be placed near your right eyebrow, and under your left eye.
  
  
• Plethysmogram: This test monitors your chest and abdominal (stomach) movement. Elastic belts may be placed around your chest and abdomen to see how deep you breathe. This test also tells your caregiver how many breaths you take per minute, and if you stop breathing.
  
  
• Pulse oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your finger, ear, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Never turn the pulse oximeter or alarm off. An alarm will sound if your oxygen level is low or cannot be read.
  
  
• Recordings: Recordings may be done while you sleep by a video, microphone, or both. This is done to hear how loud your snoring is, and to see how you sleep. If a microphone is used, an electrode may be placed on your throat or neck.
  
  
• Thermistor: This test uses a sensor to measure your nasal pressure. The thermistor will tell your caregiver how much airflow you have through your nose and mouth while asleep.

Treatment

• Your hospital PSG test will be done in a sleep room that looks like a bedroom. Caregivers will monitor you, and your sleep for the whole test. When the test is over, the electrodes will be taken off, and follow up teaching will be done. You may be able to take a shower if you choose. You will then be able to go home. The results of your PSG test will be given to you at your follow up visit.
  
  
• If your PSG test is done in your home, you may need electrodes put on at the hospital first. Caregivers will tell you how to set up your monitor. They may also tell you what position to sleep in. If someone will be helping you at home, bring them with you to hear your caregiver's instructions.

Contact a caregiver if

• You cannot make it to your PSG test.
  
  
• You get sick (cold or flu), or have a fever.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your PSG test.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Polysomnography (Precare)