Sleep studies are tests that track your body's activity while you’re sleeping. If you have trouble sleeping or feel tired during the day, a sleep study can find the cause. 

These tests measure how your body works while you sleep, including your breathing, heart rate, brain activity, and oxygen levels. The results help your care team find sleep issues and diagnose sleep disorders.

Common sleep disorders we test for include:

• Sleep apnea and snoring: When your breathing slows or stops during sleep, it’s usually caused by a blocked airway. You might snore loudly or wake up gasping or choking during the night.
• Insomnia: When you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep. It’s considered chronic if it occurs at least 3 times a week for more than 3 months.
• Narcolepsy: When you have sudden urges to sleep during the day, even after a full night’s rest.
• Restless leg syndrome: When you feel an urge to move your legs while lying down. You may notice tingling or crawling sensations that make falling asleep difficult.

Types of sleep studies

At Carilion, we offer both in-lab and home sleep studies. We also offer nap studies and PAP guidance. 

We conduct in-lab sleep studies at our sleep centers in a comfortable room. Sensors monitor your sleep so experts can observe what’s happening in real time. 

Overnight sleep studies can check for sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. Daytime nap studies check how easily you fall asleep or stay awake. In the lab, we can also test that your PAP therapy device is set up correctly.

We can arrange home sleep apnea testing. This is a simpler test you can do in your own bed. It uses a small device that records your breathing and oxygen levels.

Your care team might refer you for a sleep study if you're having trouble sleeping or feeling very tired during the day. After your referral, our sleep team decides which type of study is best for you. These tests can help find sleep disorders.

You might be a good candidate for a sleep study if:

• You snore loudly
• You wake up often during the night
• Your partner notices pauses in your breathing
• You struggle to stay awake during the day
• You have a high body mass index
• You still feel tired even after a full night’s sleep
• You might have sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or insomnia
• You might have a parasomnia, like sleepwalking or sleep terrors

Sleep studies are safe, non-invasive, and can help improve your health and quality of life. Our sleep centers’ private sleep rooms have comfortable beds, dedicated bathrooms nearby, and a quiet, home-like setting. Our staff is close by to answer questions and help you feel at ease during testing.

Sleep issues can affect children as well. At Carilion, our sleep centers can evaluate kids starting at 1 year old.

We see kids at different locations based on their age:

• Roanoke: Kids as young as 1 year old
• Rockbridge: Kids as young as 1 year old
• Westlake: Kids 4 years and older
• New River Valley: Kids referred by specific neurologists

Sleep studies help your care team learn how well you sleep and identify possible sleep disorders.

What to expect during different sleep studies:

• In-lab overnight studies: You’ll stay most of the day and overnight at a sleep center. We place sensors to monitor your sleep, breathing, heart rate, and more.
• Daytime nap studies: You may spend several hours at the center for tests that measure sleepiness or how well you stay awake.
• Home sleep studies: We can perform sleep apnea testing in the comfort of your own home using simpler equipment. Instructions are provided on how to use the device.

Afterward, our sleep experts and the specialist who referred you will review the results and discuss treatment steps.

How to prepare for a sleep study

Before your sleep study, follow these simple steps:

• Stick to your regular routine: Aim to go to bed and wake up at your normal times. 
• Eat normally: Unless your doctor says otherwise, eat your usual meals. 
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine: These can interfere with your sleep and test results. 
• Bring a list of all medicines you take: Include any vitamins or supplements you regularly use.

Following these simple steps helps ensure accurate results and a smoother experience during your sleep study.

After your sleep study 

Once you do your sleep testing studies, our sleep experts review the results. They work with your doctor to identify any sleep issues and plan next steps for your care.