CPAP Clinic Sleep Blog

Understanding your sleep health, sleep apnea and CPAP therapy

From Sleep Study to PAP device, Step One

From Sleep Study to PAP device, Step One

So, your doctor recommended a Sleep Study for you?

This Blog Series will explain everything you need to know, before it all happens.

What you will learn:

  • The three testing options that sleep doctors are most likely to use and what happens during each test.
  • What does a PAP device prescription look like? There are several possibilities to show you.
  • What shopping guides will help you choose your PAP device, mask, accessories, etc.
  • Insights into obtaining complete assistance and education about PAP equipment.
  • And more.

Let’s begin.

Scenario One:

You have visited your General Practitioner and he/she recommended a sleep test for you. When you asked about the test, you may have gotten a general understanding .

So here is a more detailed explanation below. Let’s begin by explaining the Sleep Clinic Sleep Study. At the Sleep Clinic, you will have either:

  • A One Night Diagnostic Test
  • A Titration test
  • A Split Night test

A One Night Diagnostic Test determines if you have a sleep disorder.

 

What To Expect During a One Night Diagnostic Test

Sleep studies are painless. The polysomnogram (PSG), multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), and maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT) usually are done at a sleep center.

The room the sleep study clinic may look like a hotel room. A technician makes the room comfortable for you and sets the temperature to your comfort.

Most of your contact at the sleep center will be with nurses or technicians. They can answer questions about the test itself, but they usually can’t give you the test results.

 

During a Polysomnogram

Sticky patches with sensors called electrodes are applied to your scalp, face, chest, limbs, and a finger. While you sleep, these sensors record your brain activity, eye movements, heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and the amount of oxygen in your blood.

Elastic belts are stretched around your chest and belly. They measure chest movements plus the strength and duration of inhaled and exhaled breathing.

Wires attached to the sensors transmit the data to a computer in the next room. The wires are very thin and flexible. These wires are bound together, so they don’t restrict movement, disrupt your sleep, or cause another discomfort.

 

It all starts with the patient laying in a bed with sensors attached to the body. The polysomnogram recording shows the blood oxygen level, breathing event, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage over time.

At the end of the PSG, the technician removes the sensors. You clean up and go home at this point, awaiting a call about scheduling a Titration test, if necessary.

 

What To Expect During A Titration Test

If there is a sleep disorder, there will be a 2nd Test, A titration test. The test is done on a separate night to determine a specific setting for a (recommended) medical device.

A small machine gently blows air through the mask, which creates mild pressure that keeps your airway open while you sleep.

The technician checks how you sleep with the CPAP machine. He or she adjusts the flow of air through the mask to find the setting that’s right for you. This device is something you might be trialing or buying after your participation in these tests.

 

 

What To Expect During A Split Night test

A Split night test is a single night /two test arrangement and a combination of tests described above. And for some, this is more efficient.

When the test(s) are complete you go home, back to work, etc.

And the sleep lab gets back to you after your sleep test results have been reviewed by a sleep doctor.

If you have signs of sleep apnea, you may have a split-night sleep study. During the first half of the night, the technician records your sleep patterns. At the start of the second half of the night, he or she wakes you to fit a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) mask over your nose and mouth.

A small machine gently blows air through the mask, which creates mild pressure that keeps your airway open while you sleep.

The technician checks how you sleep with the CPAP machine. He or she adjusts the flow of air through the mask to find the setting that’s right for you. This device is something you might be trialing or buying after your participation in these tests.

 

 Scenario Two

But what if my diagnostic test fails and I know I have a sleep issue to treat?

After discussing your options with your sleep doctor, one of your choices might be doing an individual assessment with several tools made available by online vendors.

Once such assessment tool is called ApneaLink by Resmed.

If you decide to go with ApneaLink, it can be sent to you by CPAPclinic.ca.

Here is a short video that introduces you to ApneaLink:

Once you have the ApneaLink, it will be necessary to assemble it before using it.

Here is a two-minute video crash course.


Here is the recommended course of action to access your ApneaLink results;

 

 

In the next post, we will explore “What a PAP device prescription looks like; There are three possibilities.”

 

Questions?

Call 1.877.430.2727.

Re-Edited by Bill Bistak B Sc.,SEO/SEM Spc, CRT

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Cоntасt: 1-877-430-CPAP(2727) or іnfо@CPAPClіnіс.са

Looking tо rent CPAP іn Tоrоntо? Thеn vіѕіt CPAPClіnіс.са аnd сhооѕе from a wide rаngе of CPAP nаѕаl masks in Tоrоntо аnd CPAP nаѕаl ріllоwѕ іn Tоronto

 

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1 thought on “From Sleep Study to PAP device, Step One”

  1. Yes! Loved everything, very detailed and explaining well, great advice and tips its nice for all who planning to use on the said device. Thank you.

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