Sleep studies
A sleep study is a special test that can be done in your home or overnight in a dedicated sleep laboratory. A sleep study is performed to investigate problems during sleep that might impact upon your quality of sleep or adversely affect other body systems, for example the heart. In addition, poor sleep can affect alertness and daytime function. This is especially relevant to driving. In the sleep study, monitoring equipment is attached overnight and records data which can be analysed to understand your sleep.
A very common reason to have a sleep study is if your doctor suspects sleep disordered breathing, for example obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). In OSA, the upper airway is narrowed and becomes unstable during sleep. This may lead to snoring, intermittent blockage of the airway and frequent awakenings overnight, impairing the quality of your sleep. Sleepiness, fatigue and irritability are key symptoms.
If required, you may need to have a second study with a CPAP device to determine the optimal settings to control your breathing overnight. CPAP uses gentle air pressure to restore stability to the airway overnight.
Of course, many people can achieve control of their sleep problem with lifestyle modification, positional therapy or a mandibular splint. The treatment options suitable for your condition will be discussed at the consultation.
Narcolepsy is an uncommon disorder of excessive sleepiness and requires additional testing with an investigation called a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). This test helps to confirm excessive sleepiness and may demonstrate other features supportive of the diagnosis of narcolepsy.
Alex and Lauren both have a special interest in the management of sleep disorders that may accompany neuromuscular disorders, for example motor neurone disease (MND). Breathlessness and poor sleep are common symptoms in MND and both can be managed well using a small device that assists the breathing muscles.