Instructions for your Sleep Study

Print this page to use as a checklist for the day
of your study.

REPORT AT 8:00 PM

THE DAY OF YOUR STUDY

• Avoid caffeine and napping.
• Take a shower and wash your hair (do not use hair conditioner, hair spray or skin lotions).
  The technician will need to place small sensors on your head and body with tape and cream.
• Eat dinner before you come in and pack a snack if you need one before bedtime.
• Take any medicine as usual. If you take any medicine at night, bring it with you.
• You may bring reading material and/or a movie. There is a TV with DVD in your room.
• Bring something comfortable to sleep in, as sensors will be placed on your head and body.
• You will be able to use the restroom during the night.
• You will need to bring your own towel and washcloth if you plan to shower here in the morning.
• When you arrive for your sleep study, our building will be locked. A phone is located on the right hand side of the door. Pick the black handset up and hold the button down on the handset until security answers. Advise the operator that you are going to the third floor for an appointment. When you arrive at the third floor ring the doorbell on the left side of the door. The technician will let you in (allow a few minutes for him/her to get to the door.) If either the phone or doorbell malfunctions, stay where you are, the technician will be watching for you and will come out to get you. You may also call for someone to come down.

The phone for The Sleep Lab at NIGHT
is 703-845-0248.

What you can expect:

When you arrive for your sleep study, the technician will take you to your room. You will then be asked to
change into your nightclothes. Small sensors are placed on your head and body with tape and cream. The
sensors are then plugged into a machine that will monitor your sleep. If you need to use the restroom, the
sensors are unplugged. There will be a camera in your room to monitor your body movements. The technician
will be outside your room the entire night. You will leave at approximately 6:00 A.M. the following morning.

What a sleep study shows:

The sleep study monitors all stages of sleep. To do this, the following are recorded:

• Eye movements
• Heart rate, brain waves and muscle activity
• The level of oxygen in your blood
• Breathing and snoring
• Sudden leg or body movements

If you have breathing problems, a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine may be used. CPAP is a device that can help you breathe and improve your sleep. It may be used during the second half of your study or on another night.

Getting your results:

Your doctor will explain the results of your study at your follow up visit. It will take a week to ten days for your doctor to receive the results. If you have further questions please contact our office during the day, at 703-933-3613 and ask for Sheila. She will be happy to help you.

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Alexandria Office: 1500 North Beauregard Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, Virginia 22311
phone: (703) 845-1500   fax: (703) 845-1300

Fairfax Office: 8505 Arlington Boulevard, Suite 450, Fairfax, Virginia 22031
phone: (703) 280-1234   fax: (703) 280-1235

www.alfaneuro.com