Common Questions

Ideally, we try to capture approximately six hours of sleep to assure a sufficient amount of data for analysis by the sleep disorders physicians.

This is a medical procedure so it is not recommended that a family member/friend stay with you the entire night, unless there are special circumstances/needs. However, you may have someone stay with you during the set-up process, if that would help you feel more comfortable. The set-up takes about an hour. If the patient is a minor; a parent is welcome to stay the night with their child.

You have your own private bedroom that contains a queen size bed. A technician, in a separate control room, will be monitoring your sleep throughout the night.

At first glance, you may feel appropriately attired for a film of the science fiction genre; however your freedom of movement throughout the night will be largely unrestricted. As long as you are mindful of the sensors and move with care, there is no reason why you can’t sleep in the position you find most comfortable. The technologist may ask you to roll to your side or on your back at some point, so that your sleep may be studied in all positions. Most of our patients experience either a minor change or improvement in their sleep quality.

The technologist’s job is to record the most accurate information possible and to make you feel comfortable throughout the night. The overnight part of the study is really just the tip of the iceberg. Following the study, a thorough analysis and interpretation will be made by a qualified sleep disorders physician, along with recommendations for future therapy, if indicated. The results of your sleep study will be sent to your referring physician and to you, if you so desire, within 5-10 working days after your study.

Yes. We do ask that patients refrain from any caffeinated beverages during the night, however, as they interfere with sleep.

Patients are given an introduction prior to the study (unless the referring physician has indicated otherwise) to prepare them in the event that CPAP is indicated. The first few hours of your study determine if criteria for a trial of CPAP are met. If sufficient sleep is acquired, and the criteria established by the physicians for a trial of CPAP are met, a trial will be initiated.

The technologist recording your sleep study will be in the lab area throughout the night. A camera will monitor you and your voice will be audible via an intercom system for the duration of your study. Simply call the technologist, who will assist you in getting up and walking to the washroom. If you prefer not to walk to the washroom, urinals are always available. Let us know if you prefer a commode.

Inform your technologist of any scheduling concerns before your study begins, and every attempt will be made to perform a complete study within those boundaries. Incidentally, bathing facilities are not located in the facility.

Unless your physician has specifically instructed you otherwise, you should continue to take your normal medications before bedtime. In performing the study, we try to adhere to your normal routine as closely as we can within lab protocols. Please do list your medications on the pre-sleep questionnaire that the technologist gives you.

If you were referred to the sleep center by your physician for a sleep study, your doctor will receive the interpretation of your study and you should contact your physician to discuss the results of your study.

The technician will offer you a gentle sleep aid, Ambien, to assist you in falling asleep. Ambien will NOT affect the results of your study. The only way that your study is adversely affected is if you do not sleep.

Our office staff and chief technologist are available between 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday at (925) 935-7667 to answer your questions.