When Should You Get a Sleep Study?

A sleep study, also known as polysomnography, is a diagnostic test that records detailed physiological data while you sleep—such as brain waves, breathing patterns, heart rate, oxygen levels, and body movements. It plays a crucial role in identifying a wide range of sleep disorders, many of which go undiagnosed for years.

But how do you know when it’s time to consider one?

1. Loud Snoring or Breathing Pauses During Sleep

Frequent loud snoring, gasping for air, or noticeable pauses in breathing during sleep are classic signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Left untreated, OSA can significantly raise your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and even accidents due to fatigue. A sleep study not only confirms the diagnosis but also determines how severe the condition is, which helps guide treatment options such as CPAP therapy.

2. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Do you struggle to stay awake while working, driving, or watching TV - even after a full night’s sleep? Excessive daytime sleepiness is a major red flag. It could be caused by OSA, narcolepsy, or other underlying sleep disorders. A sleep study helps pinpoint the root cause and prevent long-term effects on your mental and physical performance.

3. Chronic Insomnia or Difficulty Staying Asleep

If you’ve been having difficulty falling or staying asleep for weeks or months, a sleep disorder might be to blame. Sometimes, insomnia is a symptom of periodic limb movement disorder, restless leg syndrome, or even sleep apnea. A sleep study provides objective data to help doctors tailor a more effective treatment plan.

4. Waking Up Gasping, Choking, or with a Racing Heart

These symptoms may point to central sleep apnea (CSA), which differs from OSA in that the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. CSA is often linked to underlying neurological or cardiac conditions, such as heart failure or stroke. An in-lab sleep study is especially important in these cases to capture more detailed respiratory and brain activity data.

5. Unusual Movements or Behaviors During Sleep

Kicking, flailing, sleepwalking, talking in your sleep, or acting out dreams may be more than just quirky habits - they could be signs of REM sleep behavior disorder or parasomnias. A sleep study, often including video monitoring, helps detect these abnormal activities and distinguish between different sleep movement disorders.

6. Health Conditions That Increase Sleep Disorder Risk

People living with chronic health conditions such as:

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Type 2 diabetes

• Obesity

• Depression or anxiety

are at a much greater risk of developing sleep disorders. In many cases, poor sleep can worsen the underlying illness. Early detection and treatment through a sleep study can significantly improve both sleep and overall disease management.

7. Mood Changes, Brain Fog, or Declining Productivity

Chronic sleep disruption doesn’t just leave you tired - it impacts your mood, memory, and decision-making ability. If you’ve noticed signs of irritability, difficulty concentrating, or decreased work performance, the cause could be hidden in your sleep patterns. A sleep study reveals whether your brain is cycling through healthy stages of sleep or being repeatedly interrupted.

8. You’re Starting CPAP or Struggling With It

If you’ve already been diagnosed with OSA and are beginning CPAP therapy, or if you’re having trouble adjusting to the treatment, a follow-up sleep study (especially a CPAP titration study) can help fine-tune the settings and improve comfort and effectiveness.

Conclusion: Don’t Ignore the Signs

Many sleep disorders progress quietly, causing long-term damage before they’re even detected. If you or someone you care about is experiencing any of the symptoms above, don’t wait. Speak to your GP or a certified sleep specialist about whether a sleep study is right for you.

Getting properly diagnosed is the first step toward better sleep, better health, and a better quality of life.