At Los Angeles Sleep Study, sleep specialists use multiple approaches to diagnose a variety of sleep disorders and treat them with the best treatment options. Looking at the direct cause of sleep disturbances, as well as underlying factors, helps specialists and patients understand the condition and resolve it for the most restorative sleep possible.
Our range of diagnostic tests take place on site at the Los Angeles Sleep Study in addition to the patient’s home.
Sleep Specialist Consultation
A consultation with our team of sleep specialists will be one of the first steps towards resolving your sleep disorder. Our team includes a variety of specialists, including sleep medicine specialists, neurologists and pulmonologists. With help from your referring physician and the use of our patient questionnaire we will gather important information about your sleep and general health. After obtaining this information you will meet with the team to discuss symptoms and related health conditions. This information will be compiled to make sure you receive appropriate testing and the best possible treatment based on your diagnosis. During your consultation a brief physical exam will be preformed. After reviewing the results of your exam and discussing the information given on your questionnaire an individualized treatment plan will be created based on the recommendation of your Los Angeles Sleep Study treatment professionals.
Daytime Sleep Study
Many patients that are suffering from sleep disorders experience extreme daytime sleepiness and fatigue, resulting in cognitive impairment, irritability, and many other side effects that impact their daily life. For this reason, a daytime sleep study is used to monitor the patient and obtain more information. Sensors are attached to the hand and chest, much like a nighttime sleep study.
There are two types of Daytime Sleep Studies that Los Angeles Sleep Study may utilize depending on what your treatment team decides would be more helpful.
Sleep Diary
Sleep specialists and patients alike have found a sleep diary, or sleep log, an incredibly information tool in their treatment for sleep disorders. Often used to diagnose insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders, sleep and wake habits are documented every day over a specified period of time. A sleep diary can also be used to determine the usefulness of treatment. Completed once or twice a day, the patient will record answers to questions about times of sleep and waking, any nap times or lengths, the use of alcohol, caffeine, and other substances that may affect sleep, as well as the overall mood and functioning level of the patient. The sleep log relies on accurate answers, so patients must fill out any information at the scheduled time and delay the recording of information. Actigraphy An actigraph is a monitoring device that is similar to a wristwatch and measures rest and activity cycles.
The non-invasive test measures the patient’s exposure to light and their overall motor activity. The readings will help the Los Angeles Sleep Study specialists gain more insight on your sleep schedule after the monitoring device is worn over a period of time. Results taken from the Actigraphy testing can be helpful in diagnosing circadian rhythm problems and insomnia. Additional testing may be required along with the use of information gathered from your actigraph results. Home Sleep Study A home sleep study is a convenient way to monitor your sleep cycle as well as heart rate, oxygen saturation, autonomic function, different stages of sleep and more. Sleep Apnea Test A home sleep study or sleep lab can detect signs of sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea. Apnea studies can detect desaturation of oxygen levels in the body during sleep in addition to changes in heart rate and other sleep disturbances.