Sleep Studies Specialist

There are many different types of sleep studies available. Attended polysomnograms are sleep studies performed in our sleep center, and provide the most complete and in-depth view of a patient's sleep pattern, including sleep stages, breathing parameters, muscle tone, and body position during the night.

Home sleep apnea studies provide a convenient option at a slightly lower cost and are now covered by many insurance companies.  While they do not provide the level of detail that an in-lab study provides, home apnea studies provide an easy way to evaluate patients who are known to be at high risk of moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea, and who do not have other medical conditions that would preclude home testing.

Daytime Multiple Sleep Latency Tests and Maintenance of Wakefulness Tests are occasionally performed to evaluate people who suffer from significant daytime sleepiness and are typically performed after an overnight polysomnogram.

Our Center has a wide range of options for both home and lab-based sleep testing and will help advise patients which type of study (if any) is best suited for their needs.

Why are sleep studies done?

Sleep problems can affect everything from personal life, work or school productivity, and behavior. Untreated sleep disorders have been linked to more aggressive illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, depression, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Underlying causes for sleep problems are often overlooked or ignored since patients usually seek to minimize symptoms with over-the-counter remedies. A large majority of people with sleep disorders are undiagnosed and untreated. To determine whether you might benefit from a sleep study, ask yourself:

• Do you regularly have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep?
• Do you have a problem with snoring or do you have pauses in breathing when you sleep?
• Are your legs “active” at night?
• Are you so tired when you wake up in the morning that you cannot function normally during the day?
• Does sleepiness and fatigue persist for more than 2-3 weeks?

If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, contact Dr. Norman at Santa Monica Sleep Disorders Center to set up an evaluation. After an initial consultation, Dr. Norman may refer you for a sleep study.

How do I prepare for a sleep study?

Once you are scheduled for a sleep study, you’ll be given specific instructions. Santa Monica Sleep Disorders Center offers different options for sleep studies, including conducting the study from the comfort of your own home. Dr. Norman helps you to decide which sleep study option is the best choice for you. If you have any questions or concerns, it’s important to speak up before the study.

What happens after the study?

After the sleep study has concluded, Dr. Norman reviews your results. He determines which treatment to make based on the specific findings from the sleep study. Depending upon the cause of your sleep disorder, he may recommend a different type of treatment. Dr. Norman discusses the results and options with you and, if necessary, schedules your next appointment at this time. In addition to medications or behavioral measures, some sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, include medical equipment that patients use during sleep.