A sleeping test is therefore used as a diagnostic tool in sleep medicine. A Polysomnography (PSG) is the most common multi-parametric test used in the study of sleep.

Sleep Tests
Sleep studies or tests are conducted to confirm and gain additional information about a patient's sleep problems. A sleep test might be used for any of the following conditions:

Sleep Test Types
The different types of sleeping disorders and a varity of sleeping test equipment to help with the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Descriptions of these sleeping test types are detailed below.

Sleep Test Types - Polysomnogram (PSG)
A Polysomnogram (PSG) sleep test is a recording of sleep usually performed in a sleep center. A Polysomnogram sleeping test involves linking a patient up to recording sensors that monitor breathing, heart rate, movement, brainwaves, etc. The most common sleeping test for diagnosing sleeping disorders. A Polysomnogram might be used to confirm or detect any of the following conditions:

A polysomnogram sleeping study will typically record a minimum of 11 channels requiring a minimum of 22 wire attachments to the patient.

Sleep Test Types - Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT)
A Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) is used to prove whether a person can stay awake during the day. This sleeping test is usually conducted on people that have a job where vigilance is requires eg. truck drivers

Sleep Test Types - Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)
A Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) sleep test to monitor a series of four or five naps during the day after a nocturnal polysomnogram. The MSLT is used to help diagnose Narcolepsy and other disorders of excessive daytime sleepiness.

Sleep Treatment Device - CPAP
CPAP is an acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A CPAP is a  device used to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea.

The machine sends air at a constant, continuous pressure to help keep a person's airway open, allowing the patient to breathe normally. This is a machine that creates a pneumatic split of a person’s airway. A CPAP is generally interfaced with the patient by way of a nasal breathing mask; this mask is worn during sleep and delivers pressurized air to keep the patient’s airway from collapsing as a result of Sleep Apnea.  A CPAP mask covering the nose and mouth, helps when patients on CPAP are mouth breathing.

This information regarding sleep and sleeping disorders is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Dream Interpretation.org.uk disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.