Polysomnography

What is Polysomnography?

Polysomnography (PSG) is a sleep test to learn if you have a sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD), such as obstructive sleep apnea.

Informed Consent

is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the informed consent form. You can ask someone else (family member) to sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it or if you are a minor. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, make sure you understand the risks and benefits of what will be done, and your questions are clearly answered.

Before your procedure

You will be given information (please see Annex 1) about the test and what will happen.

Write down the correct date, time, and location of your procedure.

Inform your healthcare providers, before the test, about complete details of your current medication (name, dosage, frequency, timings, indication), and get clear information if you must continue them or not the night of admission.

You must bring all your current medicines with you to the hospital on the day of admission.

During your PSG test

Healthcare providers will clean your skin to put on the electrodes (sticky pads). Any of the following monitors may be used for your PSG test:

ECG: This test, also called an EKG or electrocardiogram, helps healthcare providers look for any problems in your If you have an SRBD, your heartbeat may change during sleep because it does not get enough oxygen. Sticky pads are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. Each sticky pad has a wire that is hooked to a machine or monitor. Electrical activity in your heart muscle is recorded.
EEG: This test, also called an electroencephalogram, is done to see how your brain is working during the different stages of Electrodes will be put on your head. Each has a wire that is hooked to a machine tracing brain wave activity from different parts of your brain.
EMG: This test, also called electromyography, measures the electrical activity of your EMG’s are used to check your leg and facial movements while you sleep
EOG: This test, also called electrooculogram, measures your eye movements while you sleep. Electrodes are placed near your right eyebrow and under your left eye
Plethysmogram: This test monitors your chest and abdominal Elastic belts are placed around your chest and abdomen to see how deep you breathe. This test also tells your healthcare provider how many breaths you take per minute and if you stop breathing
A Pulse Oximeter: Measures the amount of oxygen in your A cord with a clip or a sticky strip placed on your finger, ear, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine
Recordings: Recordings may be done while you sleep by a video, microphone, or This is done to hear how loud your snoring is and to see how you sleep. If a microphone is used, an electrode may be placed on your throat or neck
Thermistor/ Nasal cannula: This test uses a sensor to measure your nasal This will tell your healthcare provider how much airflow you have through your nose and mouth while you sleep

Healthcare providers will monitor your sleep for the whole test. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) may be needed if your healthcare provider chooses to do a split night test (with and without CPAP). A CPAP machine is used to keep your airway open during sleep. With CPAP, you wear a mask over your nose and mouth or just your nose. The mask is held in place by soft elastic straps that go around your head. The mask is hooked up to the CPAP machine. The machine blows a gentle stream of air into the mask when you breathe. The stream of air helps to keep your airway open, so you can breathe more regularly.

What Will Happen

Your hospital PSG test will be done in a sleep room that looks like a bedroom. Healthcare providers will monitor your sleep for the whole test. When the test is over, the electrodes will be taken off. You may be able to take a shower if you choose. You will then be able to go home. The results of your PSG test will be given to you at your follow-up visit.

If your PSG test is done in your home, you may need electrodes put on at the hospital first. Healthcare providers will tell you how to set up your monitor. They may also tell you what position to sleep in. If someone will be helping you at home, bring them with you so they understand the instructions

Contact Your Healthcare Provider (+971 4 41 44444) If:

You cannot make it to your PSG test.
You get sick or have a fever.
You have questions or concerns about your PSG test.

Risks

Having a sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) may make it hard to do normal activities such as work and school. SRBDs cause daytime sleepiness which may lead to car accidents or other injuries. SRBDs that are not treated may cause more severe health problems. Untreated SRBDs may cause high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. You may need two or more PSG tests while healthcare providers treat your breathing problem.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Important Instructions

Please follow these instructions for all sleep studies:

The study will take place between the hours of 7 pm and Please, it is very important to be on time for the admission. (2 hours before the test)
You must bring all your current medicines with you to the Center the day of admission, with complete details of their current use (name, dosage, frequency, timings, indication)
Hair worn in cornrows, braids, or anything that does not allow clear access to your scalp must be combed out and loose to facilitate the application of scalp electrodes
Bring comfortable clothing that you usually wear at Please keep it modest as the technician will be in your room to prepare you for your test
Please avoid using any hairspray or gels in your hair and arrive for your appointment with a clean, dry scalp
Please avoid using any lotion, oils, or makeup on your body and face
If you wish, feel free to bring in reading material
You will have your own private bathroom with a shower in your Towels, shampoo, and soap will be provided for your convenience
Wi-Fi access will also be Your technician will be able to provide you with the network name and password
A phone will also be made available in case you need to call for pick up
A small snack will be provided to you in the morning after the study