Sleep Disorders

Diagnosis

With accurate diagnosis, most sleep disorders can be effectively treated. All three Mayo Clinic locations operate sleep centers staffed by experienced specialists.

Diagnosis of your sleep disorder begins with a complete medical history and focused physical exam as well as use of standard questionnaires that identify your symptoms and document your sleep history. You may be asked to keep a sleep diary, and doctors may interview your sleep partner.

During the diagnostic period your doctor may order one or more of several tests to further identify the type of sleep disorder you have. These tests help doctors determine which treatment will be most effective for your condition:

• Actigraphy. Actigraphy tracks your sleep-wake cycles at home using a small device you wear on your wrist.
• Sleep study (polysomnogram). A polysomnogram is an overnight evaluation that measures your brain wave activity, eye movements, breathing function, oxygen levels, heart rate and muscle activity.
• Multiple sleep latency test. Doctors observe you while you nap throughout the day to measure the time it takes you to fall asleep and enter rapid eye movement sleep. Often, you take this test the day after a polysomnogram.