If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, it can be hard to find a comfortable position during the day. And if you have restless leg syndrome, tingling in your legs or feet can keep you awake. But what are some other reasons why someone might not be able to sleep?
You may suffer from insomnia if You drink alcohol or caffeine before bedtime; You exercise too close to bedtime; Your room is too hot and humid; You watch TV right before bedtime (especially violent programs); Stress and anxiety keep you up at night; Depression interrupts your natural sleeping patterns. Plus, even though we think of nightmares as only happening when we’re asleep, they can happen while we’re dreaming that we’re awake.
Sleeplessness can affect your mental and physical health, in addition to affecting how you work, eat and sleep. It’s important to identify a cause for insomnia and learn how to begin a treatment plan. This article will assist you in understanding how stressful thoughts and emotions that you carry throughout the day and into the evening contribute to your inability to sleep.
1. What Is a Sleep Study?
To learn what is a sleep study, it’s important to first understand the difference between primary and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia means you have difficulty sleeping even when there are no other factors that could be impacting your sleep. Secondary insomnia occurs when something else in your life is preventing you from getting good quality sleep.
Sleep studies are typically used to diagnose these two types of insomnia. A doctor may order one if they suspect that an underlying medical condition or another disorder is causing the problem or if they want more information about how well someone sleeps at night before making a diagnosis for primary insomnia. The test itself will often involve measuring brain waves while the person sleeps, plus checking their heart rate and breathing patterns through monitors attached to them while they’re asleep.
2. What Happens During a Sleep Study?
The sleep specialist will ask you to come in for your test. They may give you some special instructions before the test, such as no caffeine after noon, no napping, or exercising too close to bedtime. You’ll be asked to remove any makeup and wear a t-shirt and shorts to sleep in. You’ll then be fitted with electrodes that will monitor your brain waves, heart rate, and breathing patterns. A belt is wrapped around your chest to measure the amount of air you inhale and exhale with each breath. Cameras placed on either side of the bed will also be used to record movements during the night.
You’ll be asked to sleep in the bed for the test, but it won’t be your own. You will need to remove all jewelry and metal objects before you get into bed. If you wear dentures, you will need to leave them out during the night (they can get in the way of monitoring equipment). Throughout the night, sensors on your legs will track your leg movements, and you will be woken up several times throughout the night to make sure you are awake. You may not fall asleep during one of these intervals but should try to stay awake long enough for the techs to record data from the sensors. Each time you’re awakened, you’ll be given a series of short questions, such as how long it took you to fall asleep and what you were doing before going to bed.
3. How Do I Prepare for a Sleep Study?
To get ready for your sleep study at home, experts recommend that you turn off or dim any lights in your bedroom about an hour before bedtime. If you’re watching television, choose something light and soothing to watch — not a thriller! Read for a while instead of watching TV or staring at the computer screen. Keep your phone turned off so it won’t disturb you during the night.
During the day of your test, try to keep to your normal schedule. That means going to work and doing errands during the day but give yourself a break in the evening. The best thing you can do is get plenty of exercises, then relax before bedtime with a soothing activity such as reading. No napping or caffeine afternoon!
4. What Happens after Your Sleep Study?
Once your sleep study has been completed, the results and recordings will be sent to your doctor. They may ask you follow-up questions about things they saw or didn’t see during the test. You should get a copy of your report, which you can take to your next visit with your sleep specialist. Your doctor will discuss the results with you and, if a diagnosis is made, will give his or her opinion. If a sleep disorder is diagnosed, your doctor may recommend a follow-up sleep study or a treatment program that can help you feel better and get a good night’s sleep.
5. How Do I Prepare for My Follow-Up Appointment?
To make sure your next appointment goes smoothly, it helps to write down any questions you have about your test results. Bring your records with you, including the sleep study report and any notes or instructions you were given by the technicians during or after your sleep study. It’s helpful to bring a list of all medications, supplements, and other drugs you are taking to this appointment, including dosage information. If you wear a CPAP mask or other device to help you sleep at night, be sure to bring it with you. If the doctor recommends follow-up testing, ask when and where your next appointment should take place. You may also want to ask if the doctor could give you a referral for another specialist, such as a cardiologist or gastroenterologist.
6. Why Do I Need a Sleep Study?
A doctor will usually arrange a sleep study if they feel you have a medical problem or another sleep disturbance that is interfering with your sleep. Sleep studies are the only way to accurately diagnose and monitor conditions such as narcolepsy, apnea, and restless leg syndrome or to check how well you’re sleeping at night. They can also help determine if medication changes or other treatments might help improve the quality of your sleep.
7. Reasons You Might Not Be Able to Sleep During a Sleep Study
Sleep is a vital part of your health. In fact, one study found that people who sleep less than seven hours per night are four times more likely to die from heart disease or stroke.
In order to get the most out of your sleep, it’s important to have a good understanding of what may be preventing you from sleeping soundly during a sleep study. The following are the eight reasons why you might not be able to sleep during a sleep study
1. An Uncomfortable Sleep Environment
If you’re not comfortable in the room where your sleep study is being conducted, you may have trouble falling asleep. For example, if the noise from traffic outside is keeping you awake or a draft from an open window keeps making you shiver, ask for more insulation or a thicker blanket to combat the problem.
2. Uncomfortable Lab Equipment
If your sleep study requires you to wear electrodes, be sure that they’re properly attached and that there’s nothing wrong with the device before you go to bed. If not, you might find yourself fidgeting in an effort to get comfortable enough to drift off to sleep.
3. Sleep Disorders or Medical Conditions
Patients with sleep apnea may have trouble falling asleep because of the frequent interruptions that characterize the breathing disorder. Similarly, patients with heartburn may find themselves waking up frequently at night because eating too close to bedtime causes them discomfort when they lay flat on their backs.
4. Too Much Caffeine
Insomnia may interrupt your sleep research if you drink too much coffee or tea before bed. Be sure to stop consuming caffeinated beverages at least six hours before the time you usually fall asleep so that you can get some shut-eye instead of tossing and turning all night long.
5. Alcohol Consumption
Be careful when you choose to drink alcohol before bed. Even though it might make you feel sleepy at first, the depressant actually interferes with your ability to stay asleep throughout the night.
6. Electromagnetic Radiation
If you’re worried about EMFs (electromagnetic fields) potentially interfering with your sleep study results, you can ask your technician to see if there is a safe distance from any nearby power lines or electrical sources that could be causing interference. If the study requires you to sleep near electronics, ask for a shield to protect yourself from exposure.
7. Urge to Urinate
Involuntary trips to the bathroom may interrupt your sleep, so it’s important to empty your bladder before you go to bed. If it’s too hard for you to fall back asleep, try setting an alarm clock that will remind you when it’s time to go again.
8. Fidgeting and Restlessness
If moving around in your sleep is a problem for you, ask your doctor about prescribing medications that will help you relax.
Although there are many reasons why you may not be able to sleep during a sleep study, with the right preparation, you should be able to get the rest you need in order to feel better when you wake up.
8. What Can Be Done about It?
If you’re having trouble sleeping during a sleep study, it’s best to let your doctor know as soon as possible. The more information the doctor knows regarding what’s causing your sleeplessness, the better prepared he or she will be to assist you.
Sleep studies are usually conducted in a sleep lab and can take place at night or day depending on when your insomnia occurs and how long it lasts (some people only have problems falling asleep). You’ll need to spend one or two nights there, either staying all night if you’re not able to fall asleep for testing purposes or coming in for just an afternoon session if that’s sufficient. Doctors frequently prescribe drugs to people who have difficulties sleeping; however, not all of these medications work for everyone, and some of the ones do have negative effects.
Other possible treatments for not being able to sleep during a sleep study include:
- – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- – A device, such as a CPAP machine that delivers air pressure through the nose and mouth to open up your airways and keep them open for better breathing during sleep
- – Hypnosis or relaxation training
- – Scheduling a time of day when you will try to sleep. It is important to go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even during the week when you’re not in a sleep study
- – A prescription sleeping pill
- – Acupuncture
If your doctor prescribes certain medications, be sure to ask exactly how they will affect you before you start taking them so that you’ll know what to expect.
Keep in mind that the most effective way for your doctor to find out what may be causing your insomnia is through a sleep study at night or during the day, so try to stay relaxed until you have one scheduled. If you are having trouble sleeping during a sleep study, it ends up wasting time and money since you’d have to reschedule.
9. How Many Hours of Sleep Do You Need for a Sleep Study?
The first step to getting the sleep you need is knowing how many hours of sleep you need. Depending on your age, sex, medical conditions, and other circumstances, this number can range from five to twelve.
The second step is figuring out what time this would be for your schedule. For example, if you’re a morning person who naturally wakes up at 5 a.m., then a good goal might be 11 p.m.–1 a.m. or 8–10 hours of sleep total. But if you’re an evening person who gets sleepy after 10 p.m., then that same eight-hour goal might not work because it leaves only four or five hours for sleeping before waking up.
10. How Long Will the Sleep Study Take?
Most studies require one or two overnight recordings, lasting about eight or nine hours in total. The technician will explain when you arrive exactly what is required of you. If the test is divided into multiple nights, you’ll need to come back at least twice (and maybe three times). You might also have to do one “recall night” a few weeks later, which is another overnight recording where the technician wakes you periodically throughout the night.
11. How Much Does a Sleep Study Cost?
Prices vary by location, but a typical research costs between $1,000 and $3,000 on average. Depending on the plan, insurance may pay all or part of this cost. Before beginning the investigation, the technician should provide you with a cost breakdown so that you are aware of what to expect.
Conclusion
If you are struggling with sleep, it is important to be evaluated for a medical condition such as obstructive sleep apnea. If there isn’t any underlying cause of the problem and you need help managing your insomnia or other difficulties in getting quality rest, contact your doctor today. I hope this article helped you!!!
