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| Sleep Disorder Problems | How sleep disorders are diagnosed?
A doctor or a sleep specialist diagnoses a sleep disorder based on a number of factors including:
• your description of symptoms,
• your age and gender,
• your psychological history,
• your medical history, and
• a family member’s or partner’s observation of your disruptive sleep patterns.
Determine if you have a sleep disorder by paying attention to your sleep habits and daily routine. Having a sleep diary may be helpful in discussing your daily patterns with your doctor or sleep specialist
Following are common tests that physicians and sleep specialists use to diagnose sleep disorders.
• Epworth Sleepiness Scale - This sleep questionnaire asks you to rank whether certain situations make you sleepy and, if so, how sleepy. Your answers assist your doctor in providing a formal diagnosis.
• Nocturnal polysomnogram - This test measures the electrical activity of your brain (electroencephalogram) and heart (electrocardiogram), and the movement of your muscles (electromyogram) and eyes (electro-oculogram), and usually requires an overnight stay at a sleep clinic for observation purposes.
• Daytime Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) - This test measures how long it takes for you to fall asleep during the day, plus the kind of sleep you get during such a nap.
- Sleep specialists analyze your brain waves (EEG), heart rate (EKG), muscle activity, and eye movements.
• Repeated test of sustained wakefulness (RTSW) - This test measures how long it takes for you to fall asleep in a situation that challenges you to stay awake.
- During the test, you are placed in a quiet room with dim lighting, told to close your eyes, and asked to stay awake.
• Blood test - Depending upon your description of your symptoms and your personal and family medical histories, your sleep specialist may also conduct a blood test.
This test may not be conclusive but can be helpful in establishing the possibility and probability of certain sleep disorders.
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