Sleep Disorders Laboratory

What is a Sleep Laboratory and What Diseases is it Used for?

Sleep is a physiological process that is critical to human health. Quality sleep is the foundation of our physical and mental health. However, the stress factors and various health problems brought about by modern life negatively affect the quality of sleep for many people. At this point, sleep laboratories play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.

About Sleep Lab

A sleep laboratory is a specialized clinical setting used for the diagnosis and treatment of various sleep-related disorders. These laboratories are equipped with high-tech equipment designed to monitor and record physiological changes in patients during sleep.

The most common test performed in sleep laboratories is polysomnography (PSG), during which various physiological parameters of the patient are recorded, such as brain waves (EEG), eye movements (EOG), muscle activity (EMG), heart rhythm (ECG), blood oxygen levels, and breathing patterns.

What Diseases Are Used in the Treatment and Diagnosis of Sleep Laboratory?

Sleep laboratories are used to diagnose and treat various sleep disorders.

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): OSA is a condition in which the upper airway is repeatedly partially or completely blocked during sleep. This results in low oxygen levels and frequent awakenings. Polysomnography, performed in a sleep lab, is the standard method for diagnosing OSA by measuring the frequency and severity of apnea and hypopnea events. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).
• Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks. The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), performed in a sleep laboratory, plays an important role in the diagnosis of narcolepsy. This test involves short sleep trials throughout the day and measures how quickly a person falls asleep and whether they enter REM sleep.
• Periodic Leg Movements During Sleep: In this condition, rhythmic and involuntary movements occur in the legs during sleep. Polysomnography, performed in a sleep laboratory, records these movements and measures their frequency. It also evaluates how these movements affect the quality of sleep. This information is important for treatment planning and follow-up.
• Insomnia: Insomnia is the condition of having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Tests performed in a sleep laboratory can help identify the underlying cause of insomnia. For example, polysomnography measures changes in sleep architecture, sleep latency (time to fall asleep), and total sleep time. Additionally, long-term sleep monitoring tests performed at home, such as actigraphy, can be used to assess insomnia.
• Parasomnias: Parasomnias are abnormal movements, behaviors, feelings, perceptions, and dreams that occur during sleep. These include sleepwalking, sleep terrors, and REM sleep behavior disorder. Video-polysomnography performed in a sleep laboratory records and analyzes these events. This is critical in making a correct diagnosis and creating an appropriate treatment plan.

Sleep laboratories play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases as well as other sleep disorders. The tests performed here provide a comprehensive sleep assessment by measuring many parameters such as sleep structure, breathing pattern, heart rhythm, oxygen saturation and body movements.

Which Patients Are Suitable for a Sleep Laboratory?

The sleep laboratory is suitable for patients who show symptoms of various sleep disorders:

• Snoring and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: People who experience constant and loud snoring and excessive fatigue during the day. These symptoms can often be a sign of sleep apnea.
• Sleep apnea: Patients who are observed to have stopped breathing during sleep or who present with this complaint. This is a typical symptom of obstructive sleep apnea.
• Sleep Quality: People who wake up feeling unrefreshed despite sleeping for a sufficient amount of time, wake up frequently, or have difficulty falling asleep. Insomnia or other sleep disorders may be suspected.
• Night Terrors and Sleepwalking: Individuals who exhibit abnormal behaviors during sleep, such as screaming, getting out of bed, or walking. These symptoms may indicate types of parasomnias.
• Suspected Narcolepsy: People who experience sudden and uncontrollable sleep attacks during the day and sudden loss of muscle strength (cataplexy). These symptoms are typical features of narcolepsy.

What are the Features of Florence Sleep Laboratory?

Florence Sleep Laboratory is a center equipped with modern technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, prioritizing patient comfort.

• High-Tech Equipment: The latest model polysomnography devices and EEG systems are used.
• Comfortable Sleeping Rooms: Ideally sized, quiet rooms that simulate a home environment are available. There is a toilet and bathroom in the rooms for the comfort of patients.
• Continuous Surveillance: Patients are monitored by expert technicians throughout the night.
• Multidisciplinary Approach: There is a team consisting of sleep medicine specialists, neurologists, psychiatrists and ENT specialists.
• Data Analysis: Fast and accurate data analysis is performed using artificial intelligence-supported software.

What Do We Do at Florence Sleep Laboratory?

At the Florence Sleep Laboratory, a comprehensive process is followed for the diagnosis and treatment of patients' sleep disorders.

• Initial Assessment: The patient's sleep complaints and medical history are evaluated. At this stage, information about the patient's sleep patterns and lifestyle is collected.
• Polysomnography Test: The patient's brain waves, heart rhythm, breathing and muscle activity are measured during sleep. This test is performed overnight in a sleep laboratory.
• Multiple Sleep Test (MSLT): The patient is laid down a total of 5 times every 2 hours and the time it takes to fall asleep and the REM period are measured.
• Data Analysis: The collected data is analyzed by specialist doctors. As a result of this analysis, the type and severity of the sleep disorder is determined.
• Treatment Plan: Once a diagnosis is made, a treatment plan specific to the patient is created. The treatment plan may include a variety of methods, including medication and lifestyle changes.
• Follow-up and Support: Patients are regularly followed up throughout the treatment process and their compliance with treatment is evaluated. The treatment plan is updated when necessary.