|
|
|
 |
|
TheSleepLab serves the communities of Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Suburban Maryland with a wide variety of sleep and neurological testing services. TheSleepLab performs both day and overnight testing and provides its patients with state-of-the-art equipment, a comfortable testing and sleeping environment and attentive personal service. What is a Sleep Lab? A sleep lab is a facility where you are carefully monitored by a special sleep technician while you sleep. Some sleep lab tests are performed while you sleep during the day and others while you sleep at night, depending on the condition suspected. Sensors attached to you while you sleep monitor all your brain and muscle activity, breathing, eye movements, dream patterns, heart rate and rhythm. You are also observed and/or videotaped while you sleep so the doctor can later compare your visible body activity with the sensor data collected. The results of this type of testing can help your doctor determine not only what type of sleep disorder you have but also help determine and refine the appropriate treatment plan. What you can expect at your sleep study When you arrive at TheSleepLab for your sleep study, you will check in with the technician and complete or hand in your paperwork. You will be taken to a bedroom where you can change into your night clothes. Small sensors will be placed on your head and body with tape and/or adhesives and cream. The wires connected to the sensors are attached to a wiring harness which will be connected to a machine in your bedroom. If during the test you need to use the restroom, the wiring harness can be unplugged from the machine so you can leave the bedroom. For some tests you might also be connected to other equipment for part or all of your study, such as a CPAP device, which is one method used to treat sleep apnea. CPAP is a device that provides Continuous Positive Air Pressure and helps you breathe when asleep. You can read, watch TV or a video until you are sleepy. You can go to sleep when you are ready. A sleep technician will monitor you all night, from just outside of the room, via a camera in your room and the sensors connected to your body. At any time you need assistance, you can call for the technician. In the morning, the technician will disconnect you from the sensors, you can wash up, shower if you wish, change and go about a normal day. You will be out of TheSleepLab by approximately 6:30 am.
|