September 30, 2024

When Should You Get a Sleep Study? Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

Do you wake up feeling tired, even after a full night of sleep? Do you snore loudly or feel like you stop breathing during the night? These could be signs that you need a sleep study. Sleep studies help doctors understand what's going on with your sleep patterns and find the right treatment to help you rest better.

Understanding Sleep Studies: When It's Time to Talk to Your Doctor

Here are some common reasons to consider getting a sleep study:

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

If you find it hard to stay awake during the day, even after a full night's sleep, it could be a sign of a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea often stop breathing for short periods during sleep, causing poor sleep quality. A sleep study can help diagnose this.

Loud Snoring or Gasping for Air

Loud snoring, choking, or gasping sounds while you sleep might seem harmless but could point to sleep apnea. A sleep study can determine if your breathing stops during the night and help your doctor find solutions.

Feeling Tired No Matter How Much Sleep You Get

If you're always tired, no matter how much sleep you get, it could mean your sleep is interrupted by something you're unaware of. Sleep studies measure your brain waves, heart rate, and breathing patterns while you sleep to find the root cause.

Restless Legs or Frequent Movements

If your legs feel uncomfortable, itchy, or tingly at night, causing you to move them constantly, you might have restless legs syndrome (RLS). RLS can disrupt your sleep, making you feel tired during the day. A sleep study can check how much this movement affects your sleep.

Difficulty Falling or Staying Asleep

If you regularly have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, you might have insomnia. A sleep study can help identify if an underlying issue, like anxiety or another sleep disorder, affects your sleep.

Unexplained Changes in Sleep

Sudden changes in your sleep patterns, like waking up confused or wandering around at night, might be signs of parasomnia (a group of sleep disorders). A sleep study can track your brain activity and movements during sleep to figure out what's going on.

What Happens During a Sleep Study?

During a sleep study, you spend the night in a sleep lab or at home with special equipment. Sensors are placed on your body to monitor your breathing, heart rate, brain activity, and movements while you sleep. The information collected helps doctors figure out what's causing your sleep issues.

When to Talk to Your Doctor About A Sleep Study

If you're experiencing any of the symptoms above, you should talk to a doctor. They can recommend whether a sleep study is right for you and help you understand the next steps for better sleep.


    Elsbeth Fast, CBTi sleep therapist standing by a big screen talking to a patient about insomnia therapy for sleep issues.

    Are you ready to finally get better sleep?

    Take the first step and fill out our contact form today.

    It's Time to Take Action for Better Sleep

    Sleep is essential to your overall health and well-being. If you're struggling with unexplained fatigue, loud snoring, or restless nights, a sleep study can uncover hidden sleep disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia, or restless legs syndrome. Ignoring sleep problems can lead to long-term health risks, including heart issues, memory problems, and a weakened immune system. By identifying and treating the root cause of your sleep issues, you can improve your quality of life and regain the energy you need to thrive. Talk to your doctor or sleep therapist today and take the first step toward better, healthier sleep.

    With expert guidance and unwavering support from Elsbeth, a revitalized sleep experience awaits. Take the first step today towards a brighter, more energized tomorrow. Contact Elsbeth today.

    Do you wake up feeling tired, even after a full night of sleep? Do you snore loudly or feel like you stop breathing during the night? These could be signs that you need a sleep study. Sleep studies help doctors understand what's going on with your sleep patterns and find the right treatment to help you rest better.

    Understanding Sleep Studies: When It's Time to Talk to Your Doctor

    Here are some common reasons to consider getting a sleep study:

    Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

    If you find it hard to stay awake during the day, even after a full night's sleep, it could be a sign of a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea often stop breathing for short periods during sleep, causing poor sleep quality. A sleep study can help diagnose this.

    Loud Snoring or Gasping for Air

    Loud snoring, choking, or gasping sounds while you sleep might seem harmless but could point to sleep apnea. A sleep study can determine if your breathing stops during the night and help your doctor find solutions.

    Feeling Tired No Matter How Much Sleep You Get

    If you're always tired, no matter how much sleep you get, it could mean your sleep is interrupted by something you're unaware of. Sleep studies measure your brain waves, heart rate, and breathing patterns while you sleep to find the root cause.

    Restless Legs or Frequent Movements

    If your legs feel uncomfortable, itchy, or tingly at night, causing you to move them constantly, you might have restless legs syndrome (RLS). RLS can disrupt your sleep, making you feel tired during the day. A sleep study can check how much this movement affects your sleep.

    Difficulty Falling or Staying Asleep

    If you regularly have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, you might have insomnia. A sleep study can help identify if an underlying issue, like anxiety or another sleep disorder, affects your sleep.

    Unexplained Changes in Sleep

    Sudden changes in your sleep patterns, like waking up confused or wandering around at night, might be signs of parasomnia (a group of sleep disorders). A sleep study can track your brain activity and movements during sleep to figure out what's going on.

    What Happens During a Sleep Study?

    During a sleep study, you spend the night in a sleep lab or at home with special equipment. Sensors are placed on your body to monitor your breathing, heart rate, brain activity, and movements while you sleep. The information collected helps doctors figure out what's causing your sleep issues.

    When to Talk to Your Doctor About A Sleep Study

    If you're experiencing any of the symptoms above, you should talk to a doctor. They can recommend whether a sleep study is right for you and help you understand the next steps for better sleep.


      Elsbeth Fast, CBTi sleep therapist standing by a big screen talking to a patient about insomnia therapy for sleep issues.

      Are you ready to finally get better sleep?

      Take the first step and fill out our contact form today.

      It's Time to Take Action for Better Sleep

      Sleep is essential to your overall health and well-being. If you're struggling with unexplained fatigue, loud snoring, or restless nights, a sleep study can uncover hidden sleep disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia, or restless legs syndrome. Ignoring sleep problems can lead to long-term health risks, including heart issues, memory problems, and a weakened immune system. By identifying and treating the root cause of your sleep issues, you can improve your quality of life and regain the energy you need to thrive. Talk to your doctor or sleep therapist today and take the first step toward better, healthier sleep.

      With expert guidance and unwavering support from Elsbeth, a revitalized sleep experience awaits. Take the first step today towards a brighter, more energized tomorrow. Contact Elsbeth today.

      Your Partner for Better Sleep

      I love helping my clients reclaim restful sleep through cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.

      True Sleep Therapy is all about transforming your relationship with sleep so that you can regain confidence in your body’s innate, natural ability to rest. It fills me with great joy and gratitude to partner with my clients and to play in their life-changing sleep journey.

      True Sleep is possible. You deserve it. I’d love to help you discover the promise of True Sleep.

      Elsbeth Fast 

      Elsbeth Fast
      Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW
      Specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia with deep expertise in treating Insomnia with co-occurring PTSD, Depression, Anxiety Disorder, or Chronic Pain.

      Better sleep is within reach.

      You deserve restful sleep, and I can guide you there. 
      © 2024 True Sleep Therapy. The contents of TrueSleepTherapy.com are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Copying without permission is strictly forbidden.
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