Diagnostic Testing

Charlotte Sleep Center

Gingras Sleep Medicine is dedicated to providing the right sleep medicine solutions to adults and children in the Charlotte, North Carolina areas. If you think you or your child might have a sleep disorder, come in to see Dr. Jeannine Gingras right away. She is double board certified in sleep medicine through the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Board of Medical Specialties in sleep medicine, with years of experience helping people get a good night’s sleep safely.

Following a sleep consultation, Dr. Gingras may order testing at one of our sleep centers, including a sleep study.

What Is a Sleep Study?

A sleep study (polysomnogram) is a safe, painless evaluation of how your body functions during sleep. Just as an X-ray uncovers a broken bone, a sleep study can uncover a sleep disorder. An overnight sleep study provides detailed evaluation of physiologic parameters in sleep to determine if you, your spouse, or your child has a sleep disorder. Find out what to expect at your consultation and sleep study.

If you do have a sleep disorder, it is important to be diagnosed and treated, as sleep disorders can contribute to other medical problems such as stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, depression, and symptoms of ADHD and daytime sleepiness. Sleep testing is performed by an experienced medical professional registered in sleep technology.

There are different sleep studies that provide specific information. Dr. Gingras will determine what is the best testing for you, your spouse, or your child.

Diagnostic testing for sleep disorders may include:

• Baseline Polysomnogram (PSG): The baseline PSG is an overnight sleep study during which time brain waves, breathing, heart rhythm, oxygen content, and body/leg movement data are recorded while you are sleeping.
• CPAP Titration Polysomnogram: Sleep apnea is best treated with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). The CPAP titration is an overnight PSG performed to determine the optimum pressure needed to treat your sleep apnea. In addition to the sensors for a PSG, you will be fitted with a mask. During your sleep, the sleep technologist will increase the CPAP pressure until all your apnea is resolved. CPAP essentially functions as a pneumatic stint, like blowing up a balloon. The pressure delivered to your airway keeps your airway open as the air delivered into a balloon keeps the balloon inflated. The optimal pressure varies from patient to patient and can be only determined by a CPAP titration.
• Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Nap Study: This is a daytime session with a sleep technologist to desensitize patients to PAP therapy. Patients come in during the day and the technologist spends one-on-one time with them discussing sleep apnea, performing a proper mask fitting, and helping the patient become acclimated to therapy. This is done prior to CPAP titration for patients who have previously failed PAP therapy. It is also ideal for young children.
• Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): This is a daytime study of four to five scheduled naps to evaluate for a neurologic etiology of daytime sleepiness. It is typically performed after an overnight PSG.
• Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT): This is a daytime study that tests your ability to stay alert during the day. Typically, it is useful in people with narcolepsy and other disorders of sleepiness to determine whether treatment is effective.

Sleep Study Interpretation Follow-Up (PSG Follow-Up)

After the data are recorded, Dr. Gingras will review every 30 second epoch for the entire duration of the study. She will then be able to make a diagnosis that will be discussed with you at your follow-up appointment. Dr. Gingras will share with you examples of the PSG features of your sleep disorder. Treatment will be initiated at the post PSG follow-up visit. There will be other follow-up visits to determine the success of treatment.

Sleep disorders can be life threatening. If you or a loved one suspects a sleep medicine issue, call Gingras Sleep Medicine for a consultation today at (704) 944-0562 or use our online appointment request form. We have locations in Charlotte, North Carolina.