POLYSOMNOGRAPHY is a test that records a variety of body functions during sleep, such as the electrical activity of the brain, eye movement, muscle activity, heart rate, respiratory effort, air flow and blood oxygen levels. These tests are used both to diagnose sleep apnea and to determine its severity.
MULTIPLE SLEEP LATENCY (MSLT) measures the speed of falling asleep. In this test, patients are given several opportunities to fall asleep during the course of a day. People without sleep problems usually take an average of 10 to 20 minutes to fall asleep. Individuals who fall asleep in less than 5 minutes are suspect for sleep disorders.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS are usually performed in a sleep center. New technology may allow some sleep studies to be conducted in the patient’s home.