A sleep study is used to diagnose sleep disorders by monitoring various bodily functions during sleep, including:
- Brain activity: Using EEG to detect sleep patterns.
- Heart rate and oxygen levels: Monitoring any abnormalities in heart rhythms or oxygen deprivation.
- Breathing patterns: Detecting issues such as sleep apnea, where breathing is interrupted during sleep.
- Eye movements: Tracking REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep stages. For individuals with sleep disorders, a home sleep study is less intrusive and more convenient, enabling patients to sleep in their own beds while their sleep is monitored.