Sleep Study: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Sleep study is a test used to diagnose sleep disorders. Your brain waves, oxygen level in blood, heart rate, breathing rate along with your eye and leg movements are recorded and monitored during this process. If you are facing constant lack of freshness after sleep and daytime sleepiness, you can go for sleep study to find out the reason behind it. This study can help in determining the cause for breathing disorders, seizure disorders, sleep walking, bed wetting, physical discomfort, depression or hunger while asleep.

To get sleep study done, you will have to go to the sleep centre in the evening so that your sleeping patterns can be recorded. The study may be conducted in daytime as well to cater to the needs of shift workers who are habitual to sleeping during the day. If you have already been diagnosed with sleeping disorder, polysomnography may help you with figuring out the treatment pattern. The first stage during the process of falling asleep is the non rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep where your brain waves slow down considerably. Your brain waves are recorded by electroencephalography. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is the next stage. In this stage, your brain activity picks up and most of the dreams that you see are during this stage. All the stages and activities during your sleep are studied in detail during polysomnography. You will sleep in the centre like you do at your home. You are even allowed to carry the objects that you use and clothes that you wear before sleeping, to ensure comfort.

If you are going through daytime drowsiness, sleep walking, constant restlessness, breathing disorders, depression and unusual behaviour during sleep or chronic insomnia; you should go for this treatment.

If you are going through some other medical treatment, the troubles in your sleep pattern may be because of that. Consult a doctor and explain all your medical history before going for sleep study.

The adhesive used to attach sensors to your skin may cause mild irritation in skin.

You can immediately return to your daily activities after polysomnography but you must schedule an appointment with your doctor soon after, to discuss the results of your study.

Polysomnography mostly has no side effects. You can resume your routine soon after. However, the problem you are diagnosed with may take quite some time to recover depending on its severity. The test results may take about two weeks to arrive.

Sleep study in India may cost anything between ₹8000 - ₹ 12000.

You will first be diagnosed with the problem that is causing troubles in your sleep and then, you will be treated for the same. These troubles may return with change in life situations.

There is no alternative to sleep study. However, you can avoid your sleeping troubles by some simple steps like changing your sleeping position, avoiding excessive alcohol or sedatives, maintaining good health by taking proper diet etc.