SLEEP DIAGNOSTIC CENTER

Most hospitals have sleep diagnostic centers which are being run by sleep technicians working with physicians. Sleep centers have sophisticated equipment in an adjoining room where an intercom and video camera allow communication between the technician and the patient. The patient comes in at night and is hooked up to a number of machines which are used to monitor the activities of the brain, the eyes and the muscles. The recordings are done in a private room and there is no discomfort to the patient. The patient is not confined to a fixed position and can turn freely. Recordings are done during the night in a seven hour sleep period and the patient is discharged in the morning.

POLYSOMNOGRAM

The purpose of a polysomnogram is to evaluate the individual sleep architecture including the stages and cycles of sleep as well as to record the electrical activity of the brain, the eyes, muscles and heart.

1. Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Records the activity of the brain. This verifies and records the different stages of sleep.

2. Electro-occulogram (EOG)

Records the movement of the eyes and measures the periods of rapid eye movement (REM).

3. Electromyogram (EMG)

Records muscle activity throughout the body.

4. Electrocardiogram (EKG)

Measures cardiovascular abnormalities during sleep.

It also uses a finger or ear oximeter to measure the amount of oxyhemoglobin (oxygen saturation) in the blood. Patients suffering from OSA have a decreased amount of oxygen in the system.