Diagnosis

Diagnosis begins with a referral from a patient's physician. If a physician is not available to the patient, the staff of the Sleep Center of Baylor Dallas can arrange a referral.

Before the first visit, the patient completes a questionnaire detailing his or her symptoms and medical history. A sleep diary is kept for one to two weeks to obtain a view of normal sleep habits.

At an initial daytime appointment in the Sleep Center, a sleep specialist will review the questionnaire with the patient in detail. After this interview, an overnight sleep study will be arranged, if appropriate. In some cases, a daytime nap study also may be performed the day following the overnight sleep study.

During the overnight sleep study, the patient sleeps in a comfortable private bedroom. After arriving at the center, small sensors are taped to the surface of the skin and scalp to measure brain activity, muscle activity, breathing, oxygen levels, leg movements and heart rate. None of these devices penetrate the skin, and no blood is drawn.

Throughout the night, trained technicians monitor the activity of these sensors to help provide an accurate sleep recording. Closed-circuit television and sound recordings allow the patient to be seen and heard throughout the night. Some patients worry about the need to get up during the night. If this is necessary, the technicians are immediately available to easily disconnect the patient.