EEG (Electroencephalogram)
EEG, or Electroencephalogram, is a medical test that measures electrical activity in the brain. This non-invasive test involves placing small electrodes on the scalp to detect and record the electrical impulses generated by brain cells. EEG is commonly used to diagnose and monitor various neurological conditions, including epilepsy, sleep disorders, and brain injuries.
EEGM-NEURO PATCH
Why it's done
Polysomnography monitors your sleep stages and cycles. It can identify if or when your sleep patterns are disrupted and why.
The typical process of falling asleep begins with a sleep stage called non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. During this stage, brain waves slow down. This is recorded during a sleep study with a test called an electroencephalogram (EEG).
After an hour or two of NREM sleep, brain activity picks up again. This sleep stage is called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Your eyes quickly move back and forth during REM sleep. Most dreaming occurs during this stage of sleep.
You typically go through multiple sleep cycles a night. You cycle between NREM and REM sleep in about 90 minutes. But sleep disorders can interfere with this sleep process.
Risks
Polysomnography is a noninvasive, painless test. The most common side effect is skin irritation caused by the adhesive used to attach test sensors to your skin.
Your doctor may recommend polysomnography if he or she suspects you have:
Sleep apnea or another sleep-related breathing disorder. In this condition, your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
Periodic limb movement disorder. In this sleep disorder, you involuntarily flex and extend your legs while sleeping. This condition is sometimes associated with restless legs syndrome.
Narcolepsy. You experience overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep in this condition.
REM sleep behavior disorder. This sleep disorder involves acting out dreams as you sleep.
Unusual behaviors during sleep. Your doctor may perform this test if you do unusual activities during sleep, such as walking, moving around a lot or rhythmic movements.
Unexplained chronic insomnia. If you consistently have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, your doctor may recommend polysomnography.
What you can expect During polysomnography
Brain waves
Eye movements
Heart rate
Breathing pattern
Blood oxygen level
Body position
Chest and abdominal movement
Limb movement
Snoring and other noise you may make as you sleep
Polysomnography technologists monitor you throughout the night. If you need assistance, you can talk to them through the monitoring equipment. They can come into the room to detach the wires if you need to get up during the night.
During the study, the technologist may have you try a positive airway pressure (PAP) machine for sleep apnea. This is a device that consists of a tight-sealing nosepiece through which a gentle stream of air is delivered to enhance your breathing.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is one type of PAP machine. CPAP devices deliver a constant stream of air that keeps the airway passages open while you sleep.
For some people, bi-level positive airway pressure (biPap or bPap) machines may be a more comfortable choice. These devices deliver more pressure while you're breathing in, and lower pressure when you exhale.
You may have the opportunity to try on a PAP device before the sleep study begins so that you are not surprised by it if the technologist suggests you try the device later in the night. If necessary, oxygen also may be used during the study to bolster your breathing.
Although you probably won't fall asleep as easily or sleep as well at the sleep center as you do at home, this usually doesn't affect the test results. A full night's sleep isn't required to obtain accurate polysomnography results.
After polysomnography
In the morning, the sensors are removed, and you may leave the sleep center. You're given an appointment for a follow-up visit with the doctor who recommended the test. You can return to your usual activities after polysomnography
Results
The measurements recorded during polysomnography provide a great deal of information about your sleep patterns.
For example:
Brain waves and eye movements during sleep can help your health care team assess your sleep stages and identify disruptions in the stages that may occur due to sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and REM sleep behavior disorder.
Heart and breathing rate changes and changes in blood oxygen that are abnormal during sleep may suggest sleep apnea.
Correct settings for PAP or oxygen in case your doctor would like to prescribe these for home use.
Frequent leg movements that disrupt your sleep may indicate periodic limb movement disorder. Unusual movements or behaviors during sleep may be signs of REM sleep behavior disorder or another sleep disorder.
The information gathered during polysomnography is evaluated first by a polysomnography technologist, who uses the data to chart your sleep stages and cycles. Then that information is reviewed by your sleep center doctor.
At a follow-up appointment, your doctor reviews the results with you. Based on the data gathered, your doctor will discuss any treatment or further evaluation that you may need.
We always do our best to serve our patients, but there are a few details we respectfully ask you to plan a Sleep Study test at your home with our device which is approved by FDA, USA.
