Description | Our Sleep Disorders Labs are dedicated to diagnosing
and treating patients with sleep-related disorders. These conditions
include difficulties falling asleep and / or staying asleep at night,
or difficulty in staying awake during the day. Sleep apnea - momentary
cessation of breathing while sleeping - is one of the most common
disorders. It can interrupt sleep hundreds of times a night. Some
sleep disorders are potentially fatal.
Symptoms of potential sleep disorders include:
- Constant drowsiness
- Irritability
- Loud or irregular snoring
- Difficulty breathing during sleep
- Morning headache, sore throat or mouth dryness
- Loss of energy
Services at both the Civic and General Campus Sleep Disorders Laboratories
are provided by professionals experienced in sleep-related disorders
and sleep-exacerbating diseases.
Our laboratories have combined 17 private rooms, one for each person
being tested. We provide a single bed with all the linen. The rooms
are quiet, darkened and air-conditioned. We also have washrooms
and showers.
When the patient arrives they are shown where they will sleep and
asked to change into their sleepwear. Then they will have physiological
sensors connected to their bodies by the technologist assigned to
them. These are all non-painful and comfortable enough so that it
will be possible to sleep.
We use scalp electrodes, facial electrodes, chest electrodes, leg
electrodes and a nasal airflow sensor. The polysomnography technologist
applying the electrodes will be happy to answer any questions the
patient may have. When the connections are complete, the patient
is asked to lie down in their bed. At this time we check to see
that all the sensors are working properly by having the patient
perform some movements such as blinking, moving of legs, taking
a deep breath, etc. Patients are permitted to sleep as they would
at home, i.e. rolling over, personal pillows, bathroom breaks etc.
A technologist is ALWAYS present and able to provide assistance
at any time (i.e. washroom). The overnight test lasts approximately
7 hours. Note: the technologist may, on occasion, enter the room
to make some technical adjustments but we try to interfere as little
as possible. We would like patients to enjoy uninterrupted sleep
as much as possible.
The study is interpreted following the overnight sleep session first
by a technologist then by the physician.
What to do (or not do) before coming for a sleep study
- Please eat a normal meal before 7 p.m.
- DO NOT HAVE ANY CAFFEINE (coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate)
after 12:00 p.m. noon on the day of the test
- On the day of your test, please do not drink any alcoholic beverages
(beer, wine, liquor, coolers, "hard lemonade", etc.)
- We strongly suggest you refrain from napping on the day of your
test. If you have a tendency to feeling sleepy when you drive,
please have someone else drop you off and pick you up the next
morning.
Men: If you normally shave, please shave in the
evening before you come to the lab. This will help us obtain better
recordings. Patients with beards are not expected to shave. Wash
your hair.
Women: Wash your hair and abstain from using hair
spray. Wash your face but do not use face cream or moisturizers.
Wear little or no make-up.
What to bring when coming for a sleep study
- Appropriate sleepwear, something you feel comfortable in. Do
not buy sleepwear for the occasion. Even sweatsuits are suitable.
- You are also encouraged to bring your own pillow if it helps
you sleep.
- Personal toiletries, (toothbrush, comb, shampoo, etc.)
- Any medication normally taken
Parking
Sleep
Centre Requisition
Canadian
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