20-22 Underwood Street, Corrimal New South Wales 2518, Australia
Diagnostic sleep studies
In Lab Studies
A diagnostic sleep study is usually the first study that you will have in order to determine your sleep quality, if you have sleep disordered breathing such as sleep apnoea, or another sleep disorder.
A diagnostic sleep study in the lab is monitored by sleep scientists over night to ensure that the signal quality remains optimal and to record notes about your sleep that is seen on the video or heard on the audio. During one of these studies we record your brain activity which provides information about your sleep stages including how much light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep you are getting. We also obtain detailed information about your breathing and oxygen levels during sleep, your eye movements, facial muscle movements, heart rhythm, leg movements, body position and snoring. In order to measure these things you will have leads attached to your head, face, body, legs and one on your finger. The attachment of these leads is painless and easily removed.
In the sleep lab at Southern Healthcare Specialists you will have your own private room which is equipped with a TV and wifi, access to shower and bath facilities, and kitchen. There will be at least two sleep scientists here all night to assist you in anyway.
After your sleep study our scientists will analyse the data and your sleep physician will review the results and create a detailed report. This usually takes around 2 weeks to complete. A follow up appointment will be made for you to discuss these results with your doctor.
Home Studies
A diagnostic sleep study can be done at home if it is preferred, however there are some instances where a home study is not appropriate. This can be discussed with your doctor.
A home study is similar to an in lab study expect you won't have video or audio recording, and your body position isn't recorded. There also won't be staff available to correct any leads that come off or have poor signal quality. A home study involves coming into the sleep lab in the early evening and being fitted with similar equipment to the in lab study. You are then able to go home and go to bed as usual in your own bed.