Sleep Studies

If your doctor orders a sleep study, or polysomnogram, make an appointment with Caldwell UNC Health Care Sleep Center. Teens and adults will get insight into their condition and start the journey toward better rest.

What is a Sleep Study?

A sleep study measures what your body and brain do while you sleep. The test records activity such as your:

• Blood oxygen level
• Brain waves
• Breathing
• Eye and leg movements
• Heart rate

Your doctor will use the results to determine whether you have a sleep disorder and to recommend treatment.

Accredited Sleep Lab

Feel confident knowing the Caldwell UNC Sleep Center is accredited by The Joint Commission, the nation’s largest health care accrediting agency. Our accreditation means you benefit from:

• Care that meets your individual needs
• Certified staff
• Strict measures to ensure your safety
• Timely, appropriate care in the unlikely case of an emergency

Do I Need a Sleep Study?

You may benefit from a sleep study if you experience symptoms such as:

• Daytime fatigue and headaches
• Frequent sleepiness, even after spending a long time in bed
• Gasps or feelings of choking during sleep
• Loud, frequent snoring
• Trouble concentrating

What is the Sleep Lab Like?

Enjoy the comfort of spending the night in a queen size bed in a large “bedroom” with a recliner, Wi-Fi and TV. Feel free to shower in a private bathroom stocked with towels, soap and a hair dryer. Bring your:

• Breakfast, if desired
• Favorite pillow or blanket (or use ours)
• Toiletries

What Happens During the Sleep Study?

Arrive at the sleep lab at your scheduled time, usually late evening. You’ll be in the care of a registered polysomnography technician who has certification from the American Association of Sleep Medicine. The technician will put painless electrodes on your head and body to measure your vital signs and movements. Then, you’ll go to sleep on a queen-size bed.

In the morning, the technician will wake you and remove the electrodes. You’ll return to your everyday activities.

CPAP Titration Study

If you show signs of sleep apnea during the overnight study, the technician may wake you and ask you to wear a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask the rest of the night. Or, you may have to come back another time for a full-night CPAP study.

In either case, the technician will adjust the airway pressure as you sleep to find the setting that lets you breathe steadily. Then, you can use a CPAP device to prevent sleep apnea after you go home.

Family Companions

One parent may stay with a child age 13 to 18 during the child’s sleep study. Adult patients may not bring guests.

How Do I Get Results?

A board-certified sleep medicine doctor will review the data collected during your sleep study. Then, you’ll get a call asking you to make an appointment to discuss your results.