Preparing for Your Sleep Study

On the day of your sleep study:

• Don’t drink caffeine after 2 p.m. on the day of your study.
• Don’t take naps on the day of your study.
• Please arrive with clean, dry hair without oils or creams applied.
• If you usually shower in the evenings, please do so before you arrive.
• Men should be freshly shaven, unless they usually have a beard or mustache.
• Eat a typical evening meal before arriving at the Sleep Center.
• Don’t drink alcohol on the day of your study.
• Bed partners are not permitted during the sleep study. If a family member needs to stay, you require special assistance, or have other concerns, please alert us prior to your appointment.

An overnight sleep study is the best way to analyze your sleep to diagnose whether sleep disorders are present. A sleep study records a full night's sleep, including your brain waves, heartbeat, breathing, and the movement of your limbs while sleeping.

What to Bring

Comfortable, two-piece sleepwear (preferably elastic waist knit shorts such as you might wear for sports and a T-shirt) are recommended. A special type of glue is used to secure electrodes, so you shouldn’t wear expensive nightwear. Female patients shouldn’t wear one-piece nightgowns.

In addition, you can bring:

• Robe and slippers
• Any medications you normally take before going to bed (no medications are available at the Sleep Center)
• Reading material if you normally read prior to sleeping (a television is available in your room)
• Toiletries you use in the evening or morning (each room has a private bathroom and shower)
• Items you usually use when you sleep, such as a favorite pillow or blanket

What to Expect

• You’ll be shown to a private bedroom. After changing into sleepwear, the technician will escort you to another room where he or she will attach small electrodes with adhesive to the surface of the skin on your head, near your eyes, and on your chest, legs, and chin.
• The monitoring is noninvasive, meaning there aren't any needles or shots, and the skin isn’t pierced.
• After the electrodes are in place, you’ll be escorted back to your room.
• Most patients find they can move in bed quite easily, even with the electrodes in place.
• If you need to use the bathroom, the technician will be called in to unplug the monitors first.

The Next Morning

• In the morning, you’ll be awakened between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., unless otherwise directed by your physician.
• All electrodes and other equipment will be removed, and you’ll be free to leave.
• Sleep study results are compiled and provided to the Sleep Center physician for evaluation. At your follow-up visit, these results are reviewed with you and treatment options are discussed.