Sleep Studies

St. Elizabeth Hospital has contracted with Sleep Solutions to provide diagnosis and treatment for conditions including:

• Inability to maintain sleep
• Insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Restless leg syndrome
• Sleep apnea
• Sleep walking and other parasomnias
• Many other sleep disorders

If you have sleep problems that last longer than a few weeks, you may need a sleep study.

Step 1 - Make an appointment with one of our clinic neurologists by calling (225) 768-2050 or if you are a referring physician please call (225) 906-4797.

Step 2 - When you talk with your physician be prepared to answer questions about your health history. Try to keep a daily sleep diary for a week or two. Write down what time you go to bed, what time you wake up, and anything that seems to affect your sleep.

Step 3 - Ask your physician about scheduling a sleep study.

Your Experience

The St. Elizabeth Hospital Sleep Lab provides warm, comfortable patient rooms with hotel-like accommodations.

Before Your Study

Your physician will tell you how to prepare for the study. Be sure to ask if you should take any of your usual medications the day of your study. You may also need to:

• Avoid napping
• Avoid caffeine or alcohol
• Wash your hair (don't use conditioner, hair spray or skin lotions).
• Eat dinner before you come to the sleep clinic. Pack a snack if you need one before bedtime.
• Bring what will make you comfortable ie: pajamas, robe, slippers, personal hygiene items and even your own pillow

What You Can Expect

When you arrive at the Sleep Center, the sleep technologist will ask you to change into your night clothes. They will then place small sensors on your head and body, and monitor your sleep from an adjacent room. Any requests you may have-from a glass of water to an extra pillow-will be immediately addressed by the attending sleep technologist.

What a Sleep Study Shows

A sleep study monitors all the stages of your sleep. To do this the following are recorded:

• Blood oxygen level
• Body movements
• Body position
• Respiration
• Snoring
• Eye movements
• Sudden leg or body movements
• Heart rate, brain waves and muscle activity

Getting Your Results

The sleep technologist can answer some of your questions about the sleep study, but only your neurologist can explain the results. He or she will report the results of the study to you, then your treatment options can be discussed.

Consequences of NOT getting a Sleep Study

• Decreased quality of life
• Hypertension
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Myocardial ischemia / infarction (heart attack)
• Stroke
• You will consume 2 ½ times more healthcare resources than other patients without sleep disorders
• Increased risk of motor vehicle and work related accidents due to sleepiness