An overnight PSG is considered the gold standard for diagnosing many sleep disorders because it provides a comprehensive picture of what happens while you sleep.
What Is an In-Lab Sleep Study?
A polysomnography (PSG) is a non-invasive overnight test performed at a sleep center. During your stay, highly sensitive equipment monitors multiple body functions while you sleep, allowing specialists to identify disruptions that may not be noticeable during the day.
Throughout the night, the study records:
- Brain wave activity (EEG)
- Eye movements
- Heart rate and rhythm (ECG)
- Oxygen levels
- Breathing patterns
- Airflow
- Chest and abdominal movement
- Leg and muscle activity
- Sleep stages
- Body position
This detailed information allows your sleep physician to accurately diagnose sleep disorders and recommend the most effective treatment.
Why Might You Need a Sleep Study?
Many sleep disorders develop gradually, making them difficult to recognize. You may benefit from an overnight PSG if you experience:
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Restless sleep
- Nighttime choking or gasping
- Unexplained fatigue
- Mood changes or irritability
Sleep disorders can significantly impact your physical and mental health if left untreated.
Conditions Diagnosed with Polysomnography
An overnight sleep study can diagnose a variety of sleep disorders, including:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
The most common condition diagnosed during a PSG is obstructive sleep apnea, where the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing breathing interruptions and decreased oxygen levels.
Central Sleep Apnea
Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea occurs when the brain temporarily fails to send proper signals to the muscles responsible for breathing.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)
Repeated involuntary leg movements during sleep can disrupt sleep quality without you even realizing it.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
While RLS is primarily diagnosed clinically, a sleep study may identify associated limb movements that interfere with restorative sleep.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Patients physically act out dreams during REM sleep, which can sometimes result in injury.
Narcolepsy
In some cases, an overnight PSG is combined with a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) to diagnose narcolepsy.
Parasomnias
Sleepwalking, night terrors, unusual nighttime behaviors, and other parasomnias may also be evaluated during an overnight study.
What Happens During an Overnight Sleep Study?
Many patients are surprised to learn how comfortable the experience is.
When you arrive at Mid Michigan Sleep Center, you’ll check into a private sleep room designed to feel more like a hotel room than a hospital.
A sleep technologist will place small sensors on your scalp, face, chest, and legs using a gentle adhesive. These sensors do not cause pain and simply record your body’s natural activity while you sleep.
Throughout the night, the equipment continuously monitors your sleep while the technologist observes from another room. If assistance is needed, someone is available throughout the night.
Most patients sleep well enough for physicians to gather the information needed for an accurate diagnosis.
Will the Sensors Hurt?
No.
The sensors are completely non-invasive and painless. They simply record electrical activity, breathing, oxygen levels, muscle movement, and heart rhythm without delivering any electricity to your body.
Preparing for Your Sleep Study
To help ensure accurate results, patients are generally encouraged to:
- Maintain their regular sleep schedule
- Wash hair before arriving
- Avoid hair products
- Limit caffeine later in the day
- Avoid alcohol before bedtime
- Bring comfortable sleepwear
- Continue medications unless instructed otherwise
- Bring personal toiletries if desired
Your care team will provide specific instructions before your appointment.
What Happens After the Study?
Following your overnight sleep study, a board-certified sleep physician carefully reviews and interprets the data collected during the night.
If a sleep disorder is identified, your provider will discuss your diagnosis and develop an individualized treatment plan that may include:
- CPAP therapy
- BiPAP therapy
- Oral appliance therapy
- Lifestyle modifications
- Weight management recommendations
- Sleep hygiene improvements
- Additional testing if necessary
Early diagnosis often leads to more effective treatment and significant improvements in overall health and quality of life.
Benefits of an In-Lab Sleep Study
An overnight PSG provides detailed information that home sleep tests cannot always capture.
Benefits include:
- Comprehensive monitoring
- Highly accurate diagnosis
- Detection of multiple sleep disorders
- Professional overnight observation
- Customized treatment recommendations
- Improved long-term health outcomes
Why Choose Mid Michigan Sleep Center?
Mid Michigan Sleep Center is dedicated exclusively to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Our experienced sleep specialists utilize advanced diagnostic technology while providing compassionate, patient-centered care in a comfortable environment.
Our goal is to help every patient achieve healthier, more restorative sleep through accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be able to sleep with the equipment?
Yes. Most patients fall asleep without difficulty, and even several hours of recorded sleep typically provides enough information for diagnosis.
How long does a sleep study take?
Most overnight studies begin in the evening and conclude early the following morning.
Can I use my medications before the study?
In most cases, yes. Continue taking medications unless your physician provides different instructions.
Can someone stay with me?
Policies vary depending on individual circumstances. Contact Mid-Michigan Sleep Center before your appointment if you have questions regarding caregivers or family members.
Is an in-lab sleep study better than a home sleep test?
For many patients, yes. In-lab polysomnography collects significantly more information than a home sleep apnea test and can diagnose a wider range of sleep disorders.
How soon will I receive my results?
After the study is reviewed by a sleep physician, your provider will discuss your results and any recommended treatment options.
Will insurance cover a sleep study?
Many insurance plans cover medically necessary sleep studies. Our staff can help verify your benefits before your appointment.
Schedule Your Sleep Study at Mid Michigan Sleep Center
If poor sleep, excessive daytime fatigue, loud snoring, or breathing interruptions are affecting your life, don’t ignore the symptoms. An overnight polysomnography (PSG) at Mid Michigan Sleep Center can provide the answers needed to improve your sleep and overall health.
Contact Mid Michigan Sleep Center today to schedule a consultation and learn whether an in-lab sleep study is right for you.