Polysomnogram (PSG)
A PSG uses sophisticated monitoring equipment to record your brain
waves (EEG) and other vital signs overnight to tell your sleep specialist how well you
sleep. Nap
tests with further EEG monitoring may be performed the following day
(multiple sleep latency tests – MSLT). These assess sleepiness and look
for easy lapsing into dream sleep which is a feature of narcolepsy.
After the tests you will usually be seen by one of the clinic's sleep specialists
to discuss the results, before going home.
Actigraphy
Actigraphy involves wearing a movement monitor, resembling a
wristwatch, on your arm or leg for a few days and nights at home. This
is used to assess sleep regularity or to look for PLM. Actigraphy
equipment is posted to a person’s home with straightforward instructions
and then returned to the sleep centre for downloading of data.
How do I get referred?
If you have symptoms of a sleep disorder, which have not got better
by making simple changes to your sleep habits or other aspects of your
lifestyle, then see your General Practitioner (GP) about being referred
to a sleep clinic such as the one run at Papworth.
Patients seen in the Sleep Centre are referred either by their GP, a
hospital doctor or another doctor who has been caring for them. You will
come under the care of one of their three Consultants who specialise in
Sleep Medicine, Dr John Shneerson, who is also the Director of the Sleep
Centre, Dr Ian Smith and Dr Tim Quinnell. They will assess the best way
of looking into your sleep disorder.
Read more about
being referred to Papworth Hospital Sleep Clinic.
