Polysomnography is the medical term for a sleep study. It involves the monitoring of various aspects of the body’s activity during sleep.   It is the best way to make a definitive diagnosis of various sleep disorders, such as:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
• Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep
• Parasomnias, such as bruxism (tooth grinding) or sleep walking
  

In an overnight study the following functions are monitored:

• Brain activity
• Eye movements
• Muscle tone
• Respiratory airflow
• Respiratory muscle effort
• Leg movements
• Blood oxygen levels
• Body position
• Sound
  

This information is fed into a computer while you sleep and is monitored by skilled technicians.  Then it is reviewed and interpreted by a sleep specialist to determine the cause of your sleep complaint or daytime sleepiness.

Polysomnography enables the severity of the disorder to be accurately graded so that the most suitable treatment can be chosen for you.