Tired All Day but Up All Night — How Can I Get My Sleep Back on Track?
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4 Tips to Prepare for Your In-Lab Sleep Study
Sleep problems can often be diagnosed during an in-lab sleep study. And while the thought of sleeping under observation can be scary, being prepared can make it less so.
Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep in St. Petersburg, Florida, offers in-lab sleep studies (polysomnography) to assess your sleep habits and behaviors.
Our experienced sleep specialists, Himanshu Chandarana, MD, and Ashok Tyagi, DO, CPE, use sleep study results to diagnose conditions like sleep apnea and identify potential causes of insomnia and other sleep disorders.
What happens during a sleep study in our lab
An in-lab sleep study involves an overnight stay in our state-of-the-art, comfortable sleep lab under the supervision of our medical team.
Our technicians attach monitors to the surface of your skin to record information about your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, brain waves, and breathing patterns. You wear these monitors throughout the night to provide more insight into your health while you sleep.
We also monitor your leg and arm movements to identify issues that may cause you to wake up frequently throughout the night. Our low-light camera helps us observe your movements without disrupting your sleep.
Being attached to monitors can be a bit uncomfortable, but our staff ensures you have what you need to get a good night’s sleep. We remain on-site to help you if you wake up to use the bathroom or your sensors need adjustments.
4 tips to get ready for an in-lab sleep study
Preparing for your night in our lab can help ease any anxieties you have about the study. Our physicians can recommend specific strategies based on your health and sleep issues.
General strategies to consider ahead of your sleep study include:
1. Don’t nap
To improve your chances of a deep sleep, we recommend you avoid taking a nap on the day of your sleep study.
Exercising and staying active throughout the day can ensure you’re tired enough in the evening to fall asleep, allowing for more accurate sleep study results.
2. Avoid stimulants the day of the study
In the hours before your sleep study, avoid drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, which can interfere with your sleep cycle.
Our physicians may also ask you to avoid taking prescription or over-the-counter medications or changing your medication schedule in the days before your sleep study.
3. Think comfort when packing an overnight bag
Prepare a bag to bring to the lab that contains comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to sleep in. Clothes should be roomy enough to accommodate the monitoring sensors and allow you to move freely.
Also, include a book, headphones, or other items to help you wind down. If you have a favorite blanket or other comfort item, bring that. Don’t forget personal care items like your toothbrush and a fresh set of clothing for the morning.
4. Shower before your study
Lotions, makeup, and other products can affect the sensors we attach to your skin to monitor your vitals. We advise taking a shower before your study to wash gels and creams off your body and from your hair to ensure the sensors stick well and record information accurately.
To learn more about our in-lab sleep studies or for help preparing for yours, call Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep today.
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