Understanding Sleep Studies: The First Step Toward Better Sleep and Health

If you’ve been told you snore loudly, stop breathing during sleep, or wake up feeling tired no matter how many hours you rest — you may be one of the millions of people living with sleep apnea or another sleep disorder.

The first step toward understanding and treating these issues is a sleep study, also known as a polysomnography test. Whether done at home or in a sleep lab, a sleep study provides crucial information that helps your doctor diagnose and treat your condition effectively.

What Is a Sleep Study?

A sleep study is a diagnostic test that records various body functions while you sleep. It helps identify problems with breathing, oxygen levels, heart rhythm, and brain activity that can disrupt your sleep.

During a sleep study, the following are typically monitored:

• Brain activity (EEG): to track your sleep stages and quality of rest
• Eye and muscle movement: to detect REM (dream) sleep and muscle tone
• Heart rate and rhythm (ECG): to check for abnormalities during sleep
• Oxygen levels and breathing patterns: to detect apnea (pauses in breathing) or shallow breathing
• Airflow and snoring: to measure obstructions in the airway

The goal is to see how your body behaves during sleep — and to determine if a condition like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be causing fatigue, poor focus, or health complications.

Types of Sleep Studies

There are two main types of sleep studies your doctor might recommend:

? In-Lab Sleep Study (Polysomnography)

Performed overnight in a sleep center, this test uses advanced sensors and medical supervision to provide the most detailed data. It’s especially useful for diagnosing complex sleep disorders, such as central sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or severe OSA.

? Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT)

A simpler test performed in the comfort of your own home. You’ll wear a small device that measures breathing, oxygen levels, and snoring. This option is often recommended for patients suspected of having moderate to severe sleep apnea.

What Happens After the Test

Once your sleep study results are analyzed, your doctor will review them with you. If sleep apnea or another disorder is confirmed, they’ll likely prescribe CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) therapy.

These devices help keep your airway open while you sleep — dramatically improving oxygen levels, rest quality, and long-term health.

At Outfront Medical, we help patients and healthcare providers find the right equipment to start and maintain effective therapy.

Why Sleep Studies Are So Important

A sleep study isn’t just about diagnosing snoring — it’s about protecting your overall health. Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease and stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Depression and memory issues
• Daytime fatigue and reduced alertness

By identifying these issues early through a sleep study, you can start treatment that improves both your sleep and your long-term wellness.

How Outfront Medical Can Help

Once your doctor confirms a diagnosis and issues a prescription, you’ll need the right equipment to begin therapy.

At Outfront Medical, we specialize in refurbished CPAP and BiPAP machines, along with masks, accessories, and replacement parts from trusted brands like ResMed and Philips Respironics.

We’re here to help you get started quickly and affordably — so you can get the sleep (and health) you deserve.

? Contact Outfront Medical at www.outfrontmedical.com
or call 609-388-4635 for help choosing your next CPAP or BiPAP machine.