Do you know what polysomnography is? Keep reading, and we will explain!
Polysomnography, also known as a sleep study, evaluates the quality and quantity of sleep and diagnoses the presence of any sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. This study involves monitoring the activities of the patient while sleeping and is conducted in a sleep lab.
The patient spends a night under monitoring and uses sensors, like electrodes, on the head and body to track brain waves, breathing, and movement. While the patient sleeps, a technician monitors them from another room to ensure the test is conducted with the highest quality possible by analyzing physiological signals and other established channels.
Typically, a polysomnographic technologist analyzes the polysomnographic data, and later the physician provides the final report.
The analysis of a completed test lasts approximately an hour. Throughout this process, each sleep stage and other variables are designated, measured and interpreted.
Types of Polysomnography
Polysomnography can be classified into four categories:
- Type I Polysomnography: Carried out in a sleep lab and monitored by a technician. It captures at least 7 physiological signal channels, such as electroencephalography (EEG), electrooculography (EOG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyography (EMG), respiratory flow, movement, oxygen saturation, etc.
- Type II Polysomnography:Carried out without the supervision of a technician. It captures at least 7 physiological signal channels, such as electroencephalography (EEG), electrooculography (EOG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyography (EMG), respiratory flow, movement, oxygen saturation, etc.
- Type III Polysomnography:Carried out without the supervision of a technician. It is also known as cardiorespiratory polysomnography or polygraphy. It captures physiological signal channels such as respiratory flow and movement, oxygen saturation, heart rate, etc.
- Type IV Polysomnography:It captures between 1 and 2 physiological signal channels, such as oxygen saturation.
Type I polysomnography is considered an expensive and technically complicated study, unlike the others that consist of faster and lower-priced alternatives to evaluate respiratory sleep disorders.
Type II, type III and type IV polysomnographies can be carried out at home with a portable polysomnography device. That is why they are also referred to as ambulatory or domiciliary polisomnographies.
The Biologix Sleep Test® is a type IV polysomnography that measures channels such as oxygen saturation, heart rate, actimetry and snoring through the microphone of the cellphone. This test can be performed at home and is simple, practical, and effective. Furthermore, both physicians and dental surgeons use it to diagnose and treat sleep apnea. At bedtime, the patient only needs to place the Oxistar sensor®, a high-performance oximeter, on their finger and start the test in the Biologix app. Upon waking up the next morning, after finishing the test, the result will be available in a matter of seconds.
In case of any doubts, seek out a sleep physician to find out which treatment is best for your specific case!
IMPORTANT! Only properly qualified physicians and dental surgeons can diagnose diseases, recommend treatments and prescribe medications. The information available herein is for educational purposes only..
