Anatomy of a sleep
study
What brings people to the McLaren-Bay Region Sleep Disorders Center? What’s it like
once they get there? What goes on while patients sleep? In this composite
patient sketch, we follow construction worker JOHN DOZE through
his experience.
JOHN DOZE, 48, was—quite literally—living on the edge. After
dozing off at the controls his Caterpillar® at a local construction site, he
found himself staring down a gaping hole in the earth, the machine—and his
life—hanging in the balance. A co-worker had previously suggested John might
have a sleep disorder, had noticed the daytime sleepiness and lack of
concentration. But until John faced the facts—and the hole that was big enough
to swallow up both him and his Caterpillar®—he wasn’t convinced. He had no
argument this time and reached for his cell phone. The call went to Ingham’s
Center for Sleep & Alertness, the region’s first accredited sleep lab and a
recognized leader in sleep medicine.
8:55 p.m.
John arrives for his scheduled sleep
study. He’s one of about 1,000 people who will undergo the diagnostic
study this year at Bay. |
9:30 p.m.
After showing John to his room—much like
a private hotel room—the registered polysomnographic technologist spends
some time explaining the procedure then affixes two dozen or so electrodes
and transducers to John. They’ll measure brain waves, eye movement, muscle
tone and movement, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate and rhythm, and
breathing. A visual and audio record will also be documented via video
camera and microphone. |
11:02 p.m.
John follows his normal bedtime
routine: he changes into the pajamas he brought from home, reads a few
pages from his book, and turns out the lights. He’s aware he’s being
watched, but has no trouble falling asleep after the tech runs a few tests
to make sure all devices are functioning. |
11:14 p.m.
While John snoozes, the night tech
keeps a watch over him and maintains a clear and accurate recording of his
sleep, heart rhythm, and body movements with an array of constantly
changing and sophisticated equipment. |
1:55 a.m.
Less than three hours into the study,
the tech wakes John to apply the pre-fitted CPAP mask. John has stopped
breathing more than 70 times already—sometimes for only 10 seconds, other
times as long as 75. His oxygen levels have dropped dangerously low. CPAP
applies positive air pressure, thus keeping the airway open with the goal
of eliminating apneic (non-breathing) episodes and sleep disruption. Sleep
apnea is a debilitating, even life-threatening condition. |
2:12 a.m.
The tech continually adjusts the CPAP
pressure, while also monitoring John visually. |
7:00 a.m.
John's study is completed and ready for
interpretation. The night tech will explain the findings and
determine which Homecare company John chooses to provide him with his CPAP
equipment. This information will be faxed and set up information
will be dicussed with the homecare once insurance coverage is
confirmed. Follow-up with John's physician will be at his
office. |
| In his 1961 hit tune, “Tossin’ and
Turnin,” Bobby Lewis put to words and music what many people routinely
experience. If this sounds a lot like your nights, talk to your doctor
about your sleep problems.
“I couldn’t sleep at all last night …
Well I was tossin’ and a
turnin’
Turnin’ and a tossin’ and turnin’ all night
I kicked the
blankets on the floor
Turned my pillow upside down
Jumped out of
bed
Turned on the light
I pulled down the shade
Went to the
kitchen for a bite
Rolled up the shade
Turned off the light
I
jumped back into bed
It was the middle of the night …”
The clock downstairs was strikin’ four …
“ |
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