Ask the Doctor: Dr. Santosh Vaghela

Q: Why should I do a sleep study and what will it involve?

A: Poor quality sleep is a major cause of illness. Untreated sleep disorders can have consequences on physical and mental health. Studies have shown that poor quality sleep can cause more poor cardiovascular outcomes, diabetes, weight gain, and weakened immune systems.

A sleep study is a very common, non-invasive medical test which can help diagnose a variety of conditions that may reduce the quality of your sleep. These include obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and narcolepsy.

A sleep lab is set up like a hotel room with a comfortable bed, recliner, TV, white noise machine, and private bathroom. You will be connected to several sensors that will monitor a variety of different factors throughout the night. But you will have full mobility. If you need to get up and use the restroom, you will be free to do so. The test is very comprehensive and provides a lot of information about the quality of your sleep and can help in determining the cause of your sleep issues.

Learn more about our Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine practice here.