Polysomnography and America’s Growing Sleep Issues

Getting the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night is as important as diet and exercise. Yet a growing number of Americans report difficulties with sleep, including snoring, waking up in the night or too early, and feeling tired in the morning. No wonder polysomnography technology is a growing field.

Here are a few interesting facts about sleep that you may not know:

• If it takes you less than 5 minutes to fall asleep, you are sleep deprived.
  
  
• After 5 nights of sleep deprivation, 3 alcoholic beverages could have the same effect on you as 6 would when you have had the proper amount of sleep.
  
  
• Sleep apnea cases are found in 10% of snorers.

If it is suspected that a patient suffers from one of the more than 100 sleep disorders, a polysomnogram (PSG), also called a sleep test, may be ordered by their doctor. This test is performed by a polysomographer or polysomnographic technician and will help the doctor with proper diagnosis and treatment.

If you would like to learn more about polysomnography training and how you can help doctors diagnose and treat sleep disorders, request information from a school near you today.