Results

The measurements recorded during polysomnography provide a great deal of information about your sleep patterns. For example:

• Brain waves and eye movements during sleep can help your health care team assess your sleep stages and identify disruptions in the stages that may occur due to sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and REM sleep behavior disorder.
• Heart and breathing rate changes and changes in blood oxygen that are abnormal during sleep may suggest sleep apnea.
• Correct settings for PAP or oxygen in case your doctor would like to prescribe these for home use.
• Frequent leg movements that disrupt your sleep may indicate periodic limb movement disorder.
• Unusual movements or behaviors during sleep may be signs of REM sleep behavior disorder or another sleep disorder.

The information gathered during polysomnography is evaluated first by a polysomnography technologist, who uses the data to chart your sleep stages and cycles. Then that information is reviewed by your sleep center doctor.

Your doctor will review the information collected during your home sleep apnea test. It may take you a few days or weeks to get your results. It's possible that the results may not provide enough information, and your doctor may recommend an in-lab polysomnography.

At a follow-up appointment, your doctor reviews the results with you. Based on the data gathered, your doctor will discuss any treatment or further evaluation that you may need.