How an In-Lab Sleep Study Might Save Your Life

An in-lab sleep study is an effective tool for identifying undiagnosed sleep disorders that could increase your risk of chronic illness or premature death.

The Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep office features a state-of-the-art sleep lab to monitor your sleep habits and gather valuable information about your health.

Himanshu Chandarana, MD, and Ashok Tyagi, DO, CPE, use the results from your sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea and other conditions so you can start treatment without delay. Our sleep specialists also offer resources to improve sleep quality and support your long-term health.

What to know about an in-lab sleep study

An in-lab sleep study (polysomnography) is a diagnostic test that involves an overnight stay in a sleep lab. You spend the night in a comfortable room while our team uses a low-light camera to observe you while you sleep.

Our sleep lab also includes equipment to assess many aspects of your health, including your:

• Brain waves
• Heart rate
• Breathing patterns
• Blood oxygen levels

Sensors record information about the movements of your eyes, arms, and legs during sleep.

While it can feel strange to sleep in a different environment, our team takes good care of you and is available throughout the night if you need anything.

In the morning, we remove the sensors, and our sleep experts review the results of your study. Your provider discusses any underlying sleep disorders or other health concerns during a follow-up visit to determine your next steps.

Conditions a sleep study can diagnose

An in-lab sleep study can identify a variety of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, a condition where you stop breathing periodically during sleep.

Sleep apnea can increase your risk of serious illness or death because of its impact on your cardiovascular health. People with untreated sleep apnea are more likely to experience high blood pressure (hypertension), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), heart failure, and stroke.

An in-lab sleep study can also play a role in the diagnosis of:

• Insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
• Causes of excessive daytime sleepiness

Our team also uses in-lab sleep studies to evaluate abnormal sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalking and sleep talking.

When to schedule an in-lab sleep study

Our sleep experts at Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep might suggest an overnight stay in the lab if you have persistent sleep issues that may indicate an underlying sleep disorder or another health issue.

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation if you experience:

• Loud snoring
• Sleep paralysis
• Sleepwalking or talking
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Gasping for breath in the night
• Difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep
• Strong urges to move your legs when lying down

Our team may initially recommend at-home sleep testing to assess your vital signs and sleep behaviors. If that doesn’t provide enough information for a diagnosis, you might need an in-lab sleep study.

Call Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep in St. Petersburg, Florida, today to learn more about the potentially lifesaving benefits of an in-lab sleep study.