Polysonmography Test in GK2
What is a polysomnography test?
A test used to identify sleep disorders is polysomnography, also referred to as a sleep study. During sleep, your heart rate, breathing, blood oxygen level, and brain waves are all captured by polysomnography. It also analyses eye and leg actions.
A sleep study can be performed in a sleep center or a hospital’s sleep disorders department. Normally, the test is conducted at night. However, shift workers who typically sleep during the day may choose to do it throughout the day.
If you have been given a diagnosis of a sleep disorder, a sleep study may also aid in formulating a treatment plan. You might also use it to modify your course of treatment.
When Is A Polysomnography Test Necessary?
- Snoring
A typical sign of sleep apnea, a disorder where breathing is interfered with as you sleep, is snoring.
- Daytime slumber
A sleep issue may be present if you consistently feel excessively drowsy during the day or find yourself nodding off at the wrong times.
- Erratic sleeping
You might have a sleep issue if you frequently wake up throughout the night or have trouble falling asleep.
- Sleep causes pauses in breathing
It may be an indication of sleep apnea if you or your partner notice that you gasp for air or stop breathing while you sleep.
- Unfounded tiredness
Even if you get adequate sleep, you could still feel weary; this could indicate a sleep issue.
- Motion while sleeping
A sleep problem like restless leg syndrome or periodic limb movement disorder may be present if you move erratically or frequently while you sleep.
- Daytime drowsiness or vertigo
Excessive drowsiness or wooziness during the day
How you prepare
Prior to a sleep study, stay away from alcoholic beverages and foods that contain caffeine because they can interfere with sleep cycles and exacerbate the symptoms of some sleep disorders.
- Avoid taking an afternoon nap the day of a sleep study.
- Before the sleep study, take a shower or a bath if directed, but refrain from using lotions, gels, colognes, or makeup since these items can affect the sensors (electrodes) that will be used.
- For a home sleep apnea test, you may have to pick up the necessary equipment from your provider’s office or have it brought to you.
- Make sure you comprehend the usage instructions for the sleep apnea test kit before using it.
What is the purpose of a polysomnography test?
A polysomnography test keeps track of the various sleep cycles and phases. It primarily monitors heart rate, oxygen levels, breathing rate, and airflow. The following circumstances typically involve the use of polysomnography tests:
Other respiratory abnormalities associated with sleep such as sleep apnea
This happens when someone’s breathing alternately stops and starts while they are sleeping. This disease can cause loud snoring and frequent awakenings in sufferers.
- Disorder of irregular limb movements
This condition is indicated by frequent leg bending and stretching while you sleep. It frequently goes hand in hand with restless leg syndrome.
- Narcolepsy
This illness is characterized by daytime sleepiness that comes on suddenly and with extreme drowsiness.
Disorder of REM sleep behavior
During the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, while people are dreaming, this disorder involves aberrant behaviour. People may act out their dreams while they are still asleep as a result of it.
When sleeping, odd behavior occurs
A polysomnography test may be advised by the doctor if a patient moves or walks rhythmically while they are asleep.
Long-term sleeplessness without a reason
Someone who has trouble sleeping or sleeps a lot can be requested to do a polysomnography exam.
Polysomnography test risk
Due to the fact that a polysomnography test is painless, it is regarded as a risk-free procedure. However, electrodes are applied to the skin throughout the test, which could result in a little burning sensation. There are no additional hazards associated with the test.
Results of a polysomnography test
The average turnaround time for polysomnography test results is 3 days. The outcomes could point to the following categories of sleep disorders:
- Respiratory issues such as sleep apnea
- Epilepsy disorder
- Other movement disorders, such as recurrent limb movement disorder
- Unusual daytime fatigue or narcolepsy
The clinician may examine the polysomnography test report in the methods listed below to spot sleep apnea:
- Determining the frequency of apnea, which happens when breathing is interrupted for at least 10 seconds?
- Determining how often people experience hypopnea, which happens when breathing becomes shallow for at least 10 seconds.
After reviewing these results, the doctor can check the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) score. An AHI score of less than 5 is considered normal. This shows that the patient does not have sleep apnea, together with data showing normal brain waves and muscle activity. However, an AHI score of 5 or more is considered abnormal. The chart below shows the different levels of sleep apnea severity based on AHI score –
- AHI mark of 5 to 15: Mild sleep apnea
- AHI mark of 15 to 30: Moderate sleep apnea
- AHI mark greater than 30: Severe sleep apnea
Conclusion
A patient must take a sleep study exam at home in Delhi NCR to identify a polysomnography test or Sleep Apnea. The patient must apply the night in the laboratory while the polysomnography (PSG) equipment records his or her physical data. This is normally done in a sleep lab. However, a polysomnography test may now be carried out at home and is known as a home sleep study or a home sleep test because to technological improvements.