Getting enough quality sleep is crucial to your overall health, both physically and mentally. If you find yourself feeling constantly fatigued during the day or struggling with issues like snoring or restless nights, you may be wondering what’s causing these problems. A sleep study could provide the answers you need.
A sleep study is a diagnostic test that helps identify various sleep disorders. During the study, brain activity, breathing, and other vital functions are monitored as you sleep. The test is often used to pinpoint common sleep issues, such as sleep apnea. In fact, around 30 million adults in the U.S. are affected by sleep apnea.
Understanding Sleep Disorders
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep, often accompanied by loud snoring or gasping. If left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to serious health concerns, including high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
Other conditions that can be identified through a sleep study include insomnia, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder.
Signs You May Need a Sleep Study
If you frequently wake up feeling tired or unrefreshed, even after spending plenty of time in bed, this may point to a sleep disorder. Those suffering from sleep apnea, for example, often experience significant daytime drowsiness, regardless of how long they sleep.
Additional symptoms to watch for include:
- Loud, disruptive snoring that disturbs your sleep or that of others.
- Gasping or pauses in breathing during the night.
- Restlessness or frequent waking throughout the night.
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Excessive drowsiness during the day, even after a full night’s sleep.
Depending on what condition is suspected, sleep studies can either be done overnight in a clinic or from the comfort of your home. While you sleep, sensors will track your sleep stages and body functions. Once the data is reviewed, the results will show whether a sleep disorder is present and which treatment options are best.
Sleep studies can be highly effective in helping you regain restful, restorative sleep. If you or a loved one have noticed signs that suggest a possible sleep disorder, consulting a doctor about sleep study options could be the next step.
Contact ENT & Allergy Specialists – Ear Nose and Throat Physicians and Surgeons today to schedule an initial consultation and explore your options for better sleep.