Polysomnogram with CPAP/BiPAP Sleep Study

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) is a form of therapy used to treat sleep disordered breathing resulting from a partially or completely occluded (blocked) airway.

For PAP, you wear a small mask over your nose, your mouth or over both. A compressor forces pressurized room air through the nasal passages and into the throat to keep your airway open at night.

PAP may be delivered in one of two modes:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
  CPAP involves pressured air delivered at a constant rate.

• Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP)
  BiPAP involves pressured air delivered at a higher pressure during inhalation (breathing in) and at a lower pressure during exhalation (breathing out).

Before your study begins, you will be shown a video about CPAP and BiPAP and the technician will explain its purpose and use. If a breathing problem is seen during the baseline (diagnostic) part of your study, the technician may wake you and ask you to try CPAP or BiPAP.

Preparing for the Test
Two Weeks Before the Test

• Complete Sleep Journal: Keep a sleep journal if you have not completed a journal within 6 months or if you have had significant weight changes, changes in your health or changes in your sleeping patterns.
   
• Complete Sleep Questionnaire: Complete the questionnaire if you have not completed one within 6 months or if you have had significant weight changes, changes in your health or changes in your sleeping patterns.

Two Days Before the Test

• Pre-register
  Call 312-926-2950
   
• Confirm your appointment
  Call the Sleep Center at 312-926-8120

 If you are sick (e.g. head and chest colds), please call to have your test rescheduled.

On the Day of your Study

• Do not eat or drink caffeinated products (coffee, tea, chocolate, soda) past 12 noon.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
• Avoid use of excessive hair styling products (hairspray, gel, etc), makeup and body creams.
• Remove acrylic nails and nail polish from index fingers.
• Unless told otherwise, take all prescription medications as instructed by your physician.

 What to Bring

• Physician orders
• Sleep questionnaire and journal
• Toiletries and loose-fitting sleepwear
• Insurance card

Test Day

Come to the Neurological Testing and Sleep Disorders Center at Galter Pavilion, 201 E. Huron, 7th floor. Ring the "door bell" to alert the technical staff to your arrival.

Please Note: the doors to Galter Pavilion are locked after 7 p.m. For after-hours access, enter through Feinberg Pavilion at 251 E. Huron. Check-in at the information desk on the first floor for further directions.

During the Test

For the sleep study, you will view a brief video presentation on CPAP/BiPAP. The technician will show you 2 to 3 mask types and allow you to try them on for comfort and fit.

Monitoring devices will be applied to allow for the recording of physiological variables (brain wave activity, heart/respiratory rate, oxygen level, limb movements, muscle activity) during your sleep. After the hook-up, which will take approximately 45 minutes, you will lie on your back while performing the following: move eyes left and right, blink, grind teeth, flex the toes and breathe in and out. You will then be instructed to sleep.

Throughout the course of the evening, the technician will adjust, or titrate, the pressure settings to eliminate sleep-disordered breathing and keep the airway open. Your sleep will be videotaped for later review by physicians for any abnormalities during the study.

Sedatives or sleeping pills will not be given by the technician because recording "normal" sleep is best.

After the Test

Your study will conclude at approximately 5:30 a.m. Your technician will remove the monitoring devices and allow you to "wash up" and complete a post-sleep questionnaire.

You will not take the CPAP/BiPAP device or mask home. The need for CPAP/BiPAP and the correct pressure setting will be determined by the results of your sleep study.

Test Results

Your referring physician will receive a copy of the results approximately 5 to 7 business days after your study date. Please contact your physician's office to schedule an appointment to discuss the results of your study.

Once your physician receives the results of your study, he/she or the sleep center, if designated by your physician, will order your machine from a local Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider. The DME provider will contact you and make arrangements for delivery, fitting of the mask and training. The DME provider will verify insurance coverage and can answer billing questions relating to CPAP/BiPAP machines and accessories.

Questions

For any questions regarding your appointment, call 312-926-2650 during business hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.