Why a Sleep Study?

A sleep study helps diagnose sleep disorders that may be standing between you and the rest your body craves. At Franciscan Health, we use sleep studies to monitor how your brain and body function while you sleep, allowing us to pinpoint potential sleep disruptions.

When left untreated, these disorders don’t just lead to groggy mornings—they can also increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and even mental health concerns like anxiety and depression. A sleep study provides valuable insights that help doctors recommend the right treatments to improve your sleep and overall health.

What Can a Sleep Study Do for Me?

By diagnosing sleep disorders, a sleep study can offer life-changing benefits, including:

  • Identifying Disorders: Sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome (RLS), insomnia and more
  • Improving Energy and Focus: More restful sleep leads to better concentration during the day
  • Protecting Health: Reducing the risks of serious health conditions linked to poor sleep
  • Boosting Mood: Proper sleep can improve your mental clarity, reduce stress and enhance your overall well-being

How Do I Know If I Need One?

While a bad night of sleep now and then is normal, ongoing symptoms may signal a sleep disorder. If you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s probably time to consider a sleep study:

  • Trouble falling or staying asleep
  • Waking up with morning headaches
  • Excessive daytime drowsiness
  • Loud snoring or gasping for air at night
  • Night terrors or sleepwalking
  • Crawling sensation in your legs or arms
  • Excessive night sweats
  • Falling asleep while driving or working

Common Sleep Disorders & What They Are

  • Sleep Apnea: A condition where breathing stops and starts during sleep, often leading to snoring, gasping for air or waking up frequently.
  • Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, which can cause exhaustion, irritability and difficulty concentrating during the day.
  • Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): A tingling or crawling sensation in the legs that leads to an irresistible urge to move, especially at night.
  • Narcolepsy: A neurological disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep attacks and sometimes muscle weakness triggered by emotions.
  • Parasomnias: Abnormal behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking, night terrors or talking in your sleep.

Types of Sleep Studies

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend one of several types of sleep tests:

  • Polysomnography: An overnight study performed in a sleep lab, where technicians monitor your brain activity, breathing, heart rate and movements while you sleep.
  • At-Home Sleep Test: A simplified version of the sleep study, done in the comfort of your own bed, that measures breathing and oxygen levels.
  • Maintenance of Wakefulness Test: Measures your ability to stay awake and alert during the day and is often used to assess sleepiness after treatments for disorders like sleep apnea.
  • Multiple Sleep Latency Test: Tracks how quickly you fall asleep in a quiet, daytime environment to diagnose disorders like narcolepsy.

Sleep Medications: Should You Take Them?

When it comes to sleep, some people turn to medication for help. Sleep medications can be effective, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. Here’s a quick rundown of common sleep medications and when they might be used:

  • Over-the-Counter Options: Many people start with antihistamines, like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which can make you drowsy. However, they can also lead to grogginess the next day and aren’t meant for long-term use.
  • Prescription Sleep Aids: Medications like zolpidem (Ambien) or eszopiclone (Lunesta) are often prescribed for short-term relief of insomnia. They help you fall asleep faster, but they can have side effects like sleepwalking or dependency, so they’re typically used under careful medical supervision.
  • Melatonin Supplements: Melatonin is a hormone your body naturally produces to regulate sleep, and supplements can help reset your internal clock. They’re especially useful for people with jet lag or shift work sleep disorders.
  • Magnesium Supplements: Magnesium is a mineral that plays a key role in many bodily functions, including muscle relaxation and calming the nervous system. It’s been shown to help improve sleep quality, especially for people who struggle with insomnia or RLS.
  • Other Prescription Medications: For some disorders like narcolepsy or RLS, doctors may prescribe medications that target the brain’s neurotransmitters or manage muscle control, like gabapentin or dopamine agonists.

While medication can be helpful, it’s essential to work with your doctor to determine the best course of action for your specific sleep disorder. Medications often work best when paired with lifestyle changes or treatments that address the root cause of the problem, such as sleep apnea or anxiety.

What to Expect During a Sleep Study

If your doctor recommends a sleep study, don’t worry—it’s a painless and non-invasive process. You’ll either spend the night in a comfortable sleep lab or complete the test at home, depending on your needs.

For an in-lab sleep study (polysomnography), you’ll sleep in a private, hotel-like room while technicians monitor your sleep using sensors placed on your body. These sensors track your brain waves, breathing, heart rate and movements throughout the night, allowing your doctor to analyze the data and recommend treatment. If you opt for an at-home sleep test, you’ll use similar equipment from the comfort of your own bed.

Sleep Well, Live Well

Getting enough restful sleep is vital for your health, mood and quality of life. If you’re struggling to get the shut-eye your body needs, a sleep study might be the first step toward unlocking better rest for improved health.

Don’t wait—talk to your doctor to see if a sleep study is right for you. Whether it’s understanding your sleep patterns, diagnosing a disorder or finding the right treatment plan, taking this step can pave the way for better rest and better health. Get in touch with a Franciscan doctor now!

Take our SleepAware assessment, and learn about your risk factors for developing sleep apnea here!