If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, your doctor may ask you to have a sleep apnea test, called a polysomnogram (PSG). This may be done in a sleep disorder center / clinic or even at home (Home sleep study).

A polysomnogram - or sleep study - is a multiple-component test that electronically transmits and records specific physical activities while you sleep. For this test, you will go to a sleep lab that is set up for overnight stays (usually in a hospital or sleep center). While you sleep, an EEG monitors your sleep stages and the cycles of REM and nonREM or NREM sleep you go through during the night, to identify possible disruptions in the pattern of your sleep. A sleep study will also measure things such as eye movements, oxygen levels in your blood (through a sensor—there are no needles involved), heart and breathing rates, snoring, and body movements.The recordings are analyzed by a qualified sleep specialist to determine whether or not you have sleep apnea or another type of sleep disorder.

If sleep apnea is determined, you may be asked to do further sleep testing in order to determine the best treatment option.