Individuals
Do you have questions about sleep or its
problems? Do you suspect that you suffer from a sleep disorder?
Are you concerned about your sleep or the quality of your sleep?
Are you sleeping more than you think is appropriate?
Take the sleep quiz by clicking
on the turquoise tab above. Our patient
education section may help you decide whether your concerns
merit attention. Additional resources for answering your questions
can be found under the links tab.
Q. Do you want to be evaluated for a sleep disorder?
A. If you are
concerned about your sleep, then you need to seek professional
assistance. Speaking with your physician is a good place to begin.
Our professional staff at The Sleep Center may be able to answer
some of your questions. Please contact us. Physicians on our medical
staff are in active medical practice and are available for office
consultations and evaluations.
Q. Have you been referred for evaluation or testing?
A. Our staff evaluates
many individuals for sleep disorders. If you have been referred
for evaluation or testing, call the center and a daytime appointment
will be arranged to perform the needed review of your problem
to prepare you for testing.
Q. I've been scheduled for a sleep study, what should I expect?
A. After you schedule an appointment you will
receive a package of information including directions to The Sleep
Center, some information about the study, and a health questionnaire.
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Q. What should I bring?
A. Pack as you would for an overnight stay at
a friend's house. For the benefit of your privacy and comfort,
please bring appropriate and comfortable nightclothes (such as
T-shirts and sweat pants or pajama top and bottoms). Staff members
will be in the general testing area. Review the recommended checklist
below to insure that you have everything you might need. Also
please bring the directions and forms that you received with your
package.
Q. Will I have a private bedroom?
A. Yes, you will have a private bedroom.
Q. What about medications?
A. Please take your medications as usual and
bring them to the center if necessary. We also recommend that
you discuss your medications with your physician.
Q. Can I wear nail polish?
A. If you wear nail polish we might have to remove
it from at least one finger to obtain a good signal from the oxygen
sensor.
Q. Should I have dinner?
A. Please eat dinner before arrival. You may
bring a snack if you wish, Dinner will not be provided.
Q. Can I have a nap?
A. It is important that you avoid napping on
the day of the study.
Q. Can I have caffeine?
A. Avoid caffeine (coffee, colas, chocolates,
etc.,) after 12:00 noon on the day of the study.
Q. Should I take a shower before the study?
A. You may find that a shower before arriving
at the sleep center will make you feel more relaxed. Wash and
dry your hair and do not apply any sprays, lotions, oils, gels,
or make-up.
Q. What if I am running late?
A. Please contact our lab directly and let us
know of your approximate time of arrival.
Q. What if I have special needs?
A. Please call our office between 9:00 a.m. and
5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We will be happy to answer any
questions you may have about the sleep study procedure.
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Q. What happens when I get to The Sleep Center?
A. Once you arrive at the center, a sleep technologist
will welcome you and introduce you to your room. Our technologist
will ask you to fill out some forms and will explain what to expect.
Please feel free to ask any questions. Our technologists have
been specially trained to monitor your sleep during the night.
They will apply small sensors to your head, chest area and legs.
Elastic bands will be placed around your chest and abdomen. These
monitors will be connected to wires that attach to our recording
equipment; after the electrodes are applied you may have some
free time to relax before bedtime.
Q. How will the electrodes be applied?
A. We will use a medical adhesive, which will
be easily removed in the morning after testing.
Q. What do the sensors do?
A. They will help us record brain wave activity,
eye movement, muscle contractions, heart activity and your breathing
during sleep.
Q. Will I be able to sleep with the electrodes and wires?
A. You may find them a bit strange at first,
but most people do not find them uncomfortable or an obstacle
to falling asleep. We will make every effort to make sure that
you are as comfortable as possible. If a problem arises, our technologist
will make adjustments. Every bedroom has an open intercom that
will enable you to communicate with our technologist at any time.
If you need to use the bathroom during the night, our technologists
will assist and disconnect you temporarily.
Q. When will I wake up?
A. If you are not already awake, you will be
awakened between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM.
Q. What do I have to know after the study?
A. A large amount of information is collected
during your sleep study. Within a few days, a sleep specialist
from the The Sleep Center will interpret this information. **On
the night of your study our sleep technologists cannot provide
you with any information about your testing results. We will contact
you as soon as possible to determine treatment options.
Q. When will my doctor receive my results?
A. It usually takes 7-10 days for your doctor
to receive your formal report. You may need to schedule a follow-up
visit with your physician to discuss the findings and recommendations
for treatment. If you initially had seen one of our specialists,
we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss treatment options.
Our staff will go over this information when you come in for your
initial sleep study.
Q. What happens if I am scheduled for a Nap Study?
A. Your doctor may have ordered an additional test called
a Multiple Latency Sleep Test (MSLT) as part of your overall evaluation.
This means that you will need to stay at the center for most of
the following day for a series of brief naps. The naps are scheduled
throughout the day. You are more than welcome to bring reading
materials, puzzles or any other entertainment items that will
help you pass the time. You may also bring your laptop to access
the internet.
Recommended Check List:
Comfortable night clothes or pajamas/Bathrobe/Slippers
Toiletries/hair dryer
Change of clothes for morning
Pillow, if desired
Reading material, puzzles or other entertainment items
Laptop to access internet
Snacks
Medications if required
Directions to Scottsdale Sleep Center
Forms
that you received with your package
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Healthcare Professionals
Q. Do you have questions about sleep problems or testing?
A. Our links page contains referrals to many informational
resources. Often, answers to clinical questions are not easy to
find. Our medical director is available to answer questions from
physicians. Please call the center for further information.
Q. Do you wish to refer a patient?
A. A patient may be referred to the center by placing
a call to our staff. Our marketing director will be happy to provide
physicians with referral material and discuss the process with
their office staff.
Q. Do you wish to become a member of our staff?
A. The Sleep Center is accredited by the American Academy
of Sleep Medicine for its high quality work in that field. We
are proud of that designation and our staff reflects that quality.
Please contact our operations manager for information about employment
with our staff.
Sleep physicians who have an interest in joining our staff or
in learning more about our facility should contact the center
to speak with our operations manager or the medical director.
Community Organizations
The Sleep Center is pleased to provide presentations
to community, charity, business and service organizations on sleep
and its disorders. Information and interviews for news services
or other publications are available. To access our resources please
contact our Operations Manager.
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