A Night in a Sleep Lab Part Two

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Aug 10, 2004

At The Sleep Center

I arrived back at the Sleep Lab in the early evening complete with all the necessities. The technicians welcomed me, took me for a quick tour of the area and then had me change to get ready for sleep and the test. They patiently explained what was going to happen, what equipment they were using and the most important point for me - how to unhook myself to go to the washroom during the night. Then after being wired up, I settled down in the bed, apprehensive that I could fall asleep. I closed my eyes and after what seemed like seconds, they woke me to tell that they had sufficient data after two hours to make a diagnose of the problem. Two hours! So much for worrying if I could fall asleep. They asked me to go back to sleep and they would continue to record data just to make sure. I was also to see the Sleep Doctor first thing in the morning to discuss the prognosis and possible treatments.

You, when you attend a sleep lab, may be asked to arrive a few hours before your normal bedtime. Your night may be split into two parts, first to diagnose your problem and the second to treat your problem especially if it is sleep apnea. In my case, I had recorded nearly two hundred apneas (stopped breathing) in the first two hours of my test. There was no need to see what treatment was needed - The CPAP was the obvious answer as I learned later.

After you arrive you may have to fill out a questionnaire on how you slept the night before. Then you may get to view a video that explains what happens during your test in order that still any fears you might have. The staff may also give you a little tour and answer any questions you may have. After you change into your nightclothes, you will be taken into a room with a comfortable bed, and usually a TV and/or radio.

Setting up the Test

Once you are settled down in the bed the technician will go through a pre-sleep routine that includes preparing and applying external electrodes and answering any further questions you may have. Approximately 15 electrodes will be applied to various parts of your body such as your scalp, near the eyes, nose, and chin, and on the chest and legs by the technician. No not worry, the electrodes are not stuck in your skin but stuck to it using water-soluble glue and tape. It is not painful in any way. Next a broad band will be wrapped around your chest and abdomen to monitor your breathing. A small airflow sensor placed beneath your nose and a sensor on your neck will monitor your snoring. Then the tech will place an oximeter on one of your fingers. This little gadget measures the oxygen in your blood. Do not ask me how but it does. Finally all the wires from these devices are plugged into a box which it then usually plugged into a cable by the bed's headboard. This cable is connected to monitors and recorders in the next room where the technician will be watching over you.

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