Your First Sleep Study by a Sleep Apnea Clinic in New Jersey
If you’re suffering from sleep deprivation, your local sleep apnea clinic in New Jersey can tailor the right solution. A certified specialist will test for different sleeping disorders, tailoring the exact treatment you need to rest at night.
Patients don’t understand one fact: Their sleep issues are usually linked to varying medical and health reasons. Patients with narcolepsy usually have a neurological disorder, while those inhibited by sleep apnea each night have a respiratory condition. The same goes for so many other sleep conditions that patients wouldn’t know about unless they got tested.
Stepping into a sleep apnea doctor’s office to discuss your concerns and circumstances is the first step.
What to Expect at a Sleep Apnea Clinic in New Jersey
What can you expect from your first sleep study at a sleep apnea clinic in New Jersey?
A sleep apnea study is a painless, non-invasive procedure that diagnoses whether you actually have sleep apnea. It’s important to follow any instructions and communicate any concerns or questions you have with your sleep technologist.
The study typically takes place overnight, from bedtime to morning. You’ll arrive in the evening, sleeping in a private room with a comfortable bed. Feel free to bring items you use during your nightly routine, including your own pajamas and creature comforts.
Rooms where sleep studies are conducted are similar to hotel rooms. It’s dark, quiet, and private during the test. A sleep specialist will place sensors on your scalp, temples, chest, and legs using a mild adhesive. These sensors are connected to a computer. You’ll also have a small clip attached to your finger or ear to monitor blood oxygen levels.
Throughout the night, your technologist monitors various measurements and adjusts any sensors if necessary. A program will record your brain waves, eye movements, heart rate, breathing pattern, blood oxygen level, and body position. Your chest and abdominal movements, arm and leg movements, snoring, and any other noises are included in this analysis.
Those sensors collect data on your patterns and abnormalities throughout the night, including pauses in breathing or shallow breathing. This data is used to diagnose and assess the severity of your sleep apnea. If you need help, the specialist can communicate through an audio system, adjusting anything if necessary.
In the morning, everything will be removed after you wake up. Your doctor will discuss the results at a follow-up appointment. You’ll find out whether you have sleep apnea and what the next steps entail.
What First-Time Patients Say About Sleep Studies
What do patients say when they stay overnight at a sleep apnea clinic in New Jersey?
There’s usually an adjustment period to sleeping with wires and sensors as they lie down and rest. Fortunately, many patients adapt quickly and fall asleep comfortably. However, some might find it challenging to sleep in an unfamiliar environment, and that’s okay.
Sometimes patients report getting the full night’s sleep they deserve, one they haven’t experienced in years, even with sensors attached. This can be an eye-opening experience, highlighting the impact that sleep apnea is having on their physical and mental wellbeing.
Some study participants say they’re surprised at the amount of data collected during the night. You may find it interesting to learn more about your sleep patterns and any abnormalities detected. Many don’t think their snoring is severe, only to find out they snore quite a bit.
Other patients have expressed their gratitude for the impressive overnight care and support they receive. They appreciate any efforts to make them feel comfortable and answer questions they have.
Overall, most patients describe their sleep-study nights as a manageable and informative experience. Everyone’s experience is unique, so don’t hesitate to discuss concerns or questions with your doctor before the study. While waiting for results, patients are relieved to know they’re on a path to start the right treatment.
Your Sleep Disorder Diagnosed by a Sleep Apnea Clinic in New Jersey
What would a sleep apnea clinic in New Jersey say about the gamut of sleep disorders plaguing adults today?
Sleep apnea is one of many sleeping disorders. There are nearly 100 different types of sleep disorders that have been identified, impacting various aspects of sleep. The varieties include quality and quality of sleep, timing of sleep, and your sleep experience.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related disorder. People with obstructive sleep apnea repeatedly stop and start breathing during the night.
It is “associated with neurocognitive impairment, hypertension, and incident cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease,” according to Oxford Academic. “Using conventional measures, obstructive sleep apnea has been estimated to affect up to 1 billion people worldwide.”
Insomnia is another common sleeping disorder. Patients suffer from difficulty falling or remaining asleep. They want to fall asleep or stay asleep, but unfortunately they can’t. Patients experience daytime sleepiness, making daily functioning difficult. Up to two-thirds of adults periodically live with insomnia.
Narcolepsy is another sleep disorder, a neurological condition characterized by excessive tiredness throughout the day and sudden sleep attacks. You may feel sudden weakness in your muscles, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. Narcolepsy is rare, but can significantly impact your life.
Restless Leg Syndrome is an irresistible urge to move your legs. It negatively impacts patients through uncomfortable sensations, including crawly, tingling, or itchy feelings.
A few more popular sleep disorders are Parasomnias, circadian rhythm disorders, and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder or RBD. Those with Parasomnias find themselves walking or staying active during sleep, having nightmares, or suffering from night terrors. Circadian rhythm conditions, such as jet lag or night-shift work, is when your body’s internal clock is disrupted. Lastly, RBD involves acting out vivid dreams during rapid eye movement sleep cycles.
Scientific Studies and the Importance of Your Sleep Health
Undergoing an overnight sleep study at a sleep apnea clinic in New Jersey can be challenging for some patients. However, a study can diagnose what’s going on so you can receive proper treatment that improves your quality of life.
Some scientific studies have revealed how diet and lifestyle impact your sleep. An Australian study found that those who adhered to a healthy plant-based diet had a lower risk of sleep apnea. In contrast, those sticking to an unhealthy diet were at higher risk. “Higher adherence to a plant-based diet is associated with reduced obstructive sleep apnea,” stated the report in European Respiratory Journal. An “unhealthy plant-based diet has a positive association” with sleep apnea.
The benefits of a healthier plant-based diet are still being research. However, “some speculate that plant-based foods can help reduce inflammation in the body, including in the head and neck.” This, according to a recent CBS News report, may correspond with lower risk for sleep apnea among other lifestyle changes.
A healthy plant-based diet is one high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and nuts. It includes unprocessed foods, unlike carbohydrates from sugary drinks and high-sugar, high-sodium, processed foods.
Overall, it’s important to communicate your concerns regarding your sleep disorder with a pain management specialist or health care provider. Any inconveniences of an overnight sleep study are worth it to get an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment recommendations.
Wellness and Pain Can Help
Find your sleep apnea clinic in New Jersey by visiting Wellness and Pain. We offer conservative treatments, routine visits, and minimally invasive quick-recovery procedures. We can keep you free of problems by providing lifestyle education and home care advice to help you avoid and manage issues, quickly relieving your inhibiting lifestyle conditions when complications arise.
At Wellness and Pain, we personalize patient care plans based on each patient’s condition and unique circumstances to improve wellness, increase mobility, relieve pain, and enhance your mental space and overall health.
Request an appointment to learn more!
