You could benefit form a sleep test if you regularly have difficulty achieving a restful night’s sleep. Sleep tests aid in identifying sleep disorders and other factors that could be interfering with your ability to sleep. Once the cause is determined, steps can be taken to help promote more restful sleep. The experienced sleep specialists at Bogan Sleep Consultants in Columbia, SC, perform several sleep tests to diagnose and treat different types of sleep disorders.

Sleep Disorders

Everyone can experience a poor night’s sleep once in a while, but a sleep disorder could be to blame if you are constantly having trouble sleeping. Feeling unrested upon waking, difficulty concentrating throughout the day, and excessive sleepiness during the day are all signs of a possible sleep disorder. Some different types of sleep disorders include:

• Insomnia
• Sleepwalking
• Restless leg syndrome
• Periodic limb movements
• Sleep apnea
• Narcolepsy

Types of Sleep Tests

Sleep tests are a useful diagnostic tool for identifying the cause of sleep difficulty, whether that be a specific sleep disorder or another factor. During a sleep test, technologically advanced sleep study equipment is used to monitor sleep patterns and gather data. Information is collected on breathing, heart function, muscle activities, brain waves, and more. The data aids our sleep experts in diagnosing the specific cause of your sleep difficulties so steps can be taken to help you achieve better sleep.

Sleep tests are painless and are performed overnight in a comfortable and relaxing bedroom-like setting. We conduct several different types of sleep tests at our Columbia, SC, sleep center, including: 

• Polysomnogram (PSG): This test analyzes a patient’s physical state while sleeping. The PSG test is used to monitor sleep patterns, brain waves, muscle activity, heart function, and breathing patterns.
• CPAP Titration: This test is performed after a separate PSG test has been done that revealed sleep disordered breathing. During the test, the patient is connected to a CPAP machine, which delivers continuous air pressure to the patient’s airways while sleeping. The machine is adjusted throughout the night until snoring stops and breathing is no longer interrupted.
• Split-Night PSG: This type of test is used to diagnose sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea. In addition to confirming a sleep apnea diagnosis, the test also helps determine the optimal air pressure setting for the patient to use on a CPAP machine. The split-night test allows for diagnosis and treatment planning to be performed in one overnight test rather than two separate ones. 
• Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): The MSLT is used to analyze an individual’s degree of sleepiness during the daytime by measuring how quickly a patient falls asleep. The test involves taking five separate naps every two hours with each one lasting 20 minutes.

A sleep test can help reveal what is interfering with your ability to sleep. Our experts can then develop an appropriate treatment plan to help you finally enjoy a restful sleep. to learn more about the different types of sleep tests, call Bogan Sleep Consultants in Columbia, SC, at (803) 251-3093.