The polysomnography or sleep study is an examination in which the doctor studies your sleep structure and the way you breathe at night. For example, they try to find out the reason for fatigue, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, snoring, stop breathing or movements at night.
Patients can come to Jan Yperman Hospital for a sleep study. The multidisciplinary team at the sleep clinic, consisting of a neurologist, pneumologist, otolaryngologist and stomatologist, is responsible for the adequate diagnosis and treatment of people with sleep/wake disorders.
You will find all the important information about the sleep study below:
For organisational reasons, we ask you to check in to the hospital reception by 3 pm. This ensures the nurse has time to correctly apply the electrodes (wires), set up the computers and enter your details.
The single room is located on ward D5. It has modern private sanitary facilities, TV and radio, and soundproof insulation. Don’t forget to bring the following things with you:
It is best to wash your hair in advance. You will be given an evening meal. Do what you would normally do at home. Call the nurse when you start to feel tired. They will then dim the lights and start the study.
Call again in the morning when you want to get up. For practical reasons, the electrodes are only removed after 8.30 am. You will be given breakfast first. Then you may leave the hospital.
Most people sleep well. The electrodes are attached so that you are not hindered when rolling over and moving while sleeping. The electrodes are attached with adhesive or tape and are completely painless.
You don’t need to worry about anything becoming loose. Feel free to move and roll over in bed like you normally would. If an electrode comes loose, the night nurse who monitors the readings will ensure everything is okay.
Other tests are often required in addition to the sleep study, such as a lung X-ray, blood test, lung function test, consultation with the otolaryngologist. These tests can usually be carried out during the same admission and are planned in advance. They are then carried out on the day of admission or the morning after your sleep study.
MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test)
This test measures sleepiness during the daytime. You will be asked to sleep at set times during the day. You will then be woken after 20 minutes. This test is only carried out upon specific request from the doctor. If you need to do the test, you can only go home again the following evening. The test ends at about 6 pm.
The following measurements are taken during a polysomnography (sleep study):
When you are admitted to the sleep lab for sleep apnoea treatment, you bring your own CPAP machine, which you have been familiar with for several weeks, to the hospital with you.
The study only records signals. All these signals are analysed in detail in the weeks following your study, which takes quite a long time. The results of your sleep study are then sent to your referring physician as soon as possible (within 14 days).
Your hospital doctor will often already make an appointment to discuss the results with you, or call you at home if you need CPAP treatment.
You can always contact our sleep coordinator (Lucie Loridan, 057 35 74 95) for more information on how the sleep clinic works.
You can also find more information about the sleep clinic in the video and in the brochure.
Please let us know in good time (preferably at least one day in advance) if you cannot attend your sleep appointment.
See our brochure here
