Sleep medicine

A sleep study is conducted to diagnose sleep disorders and is scheduled at a sleep doctor’s appointment. A sleep study is therefore preceded by a consultation with a sleep doctor. During a home sleep study, a number of events occurring while the patient is sleeping are monitored synchronously.

The study is carried out using a special device. The home sleep study is prepared during a nurse’s appointment together with the patient.

During the sleep study, physiological indicators that help diagnose sleep disorders are monitored:

• heart activity, heart rate
• respiratory movements and airflow velocity in the airways
• the body’s oxygen supply
• the presence and volume of snoring
• changes in body posture and movement disturbances (on your back, stomach, right and left side)
• if necessary, sleep stages with electroencephalography (EEG), heart function with electrocardiography (ECG), muscle activity with electromyography (EMG) and any other indicators.

How the examination is performed

• A sleep nurse will show you how to use the sleep study device at home.
• Using special sensors, the device is attached to your body overnight.
• The study is painless and quiet. The device does not vibrate or otherwise disturb your sleep.
• In some cases, questionnaires are also used to investigate your sleep.
• You will need to return the device to the sleep nurse the day after the study.
• The sleep doctor will then examine the data, interpret the results and prepare a summary.
• The study is followed by a consultation with a sleep doctor, who will explain its results and the treatment options for the sleep disorder.

Symptoms and conditions for which the sleep study is recommended

• loud snoring
• fatigue or daytime sleepiness
• signs of disrupted breathing during sleep
• recurrent awakenings from sleep, restless sleep, waking up too early
• body mass index (BMI) over 35 kg/m²
• neck circumference greater than 43 cm for men or 40 cm for women
• the family doctor has identified a facial anomaly, meaning that the lower jaw is in a posterior position compared to the upper jaw
• history of hypertension treated with at least two different medications; history of myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, chronic heart failure, stroke