Sleep apnea test

A sleep apnea test, also known as nocturnal polysomnography, is a test performed to monitor the quality of sleep by measuring different physiological variables while the patient is sleeping. A series of equipment and sensors are used to record muscle activity and tone, eye movements, heart rhythm, breathing patterns, brain waves, and oxygen content in the blood. All these monitoring devices are taped to your skin, including the face, and do not involve the use of invasive instruments. For this test, you stay overnight at a clinic with a sleep laboratory where you will be videotaped while sleeping. This test is more commonly used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but it is also performed for the assessment of other disorders such as narcolepsy, chronic insomnia, restless legs syndrome, or disorders with unusual behaviors during sleep.