Sleep study

What is a sleep study?

There are many types of sleep disorders, from insomnia and troublesome snoring, to sleep apnoea, narcolepsy and parasomnia. Each sleep disorder can have both distinct and overlapping symptoms. A sleep study helps us diagnose which specific sleep disorder you have. 

During a sleep study, one of our sleep specialists will monitor how you sleep. We will monitor several factors, such as your oxygen levels, brain activity, breathing, heart rate and movement patterns. Our sleep specialists will use this information to determine your diagnosis and the best treatment to manage your sleep disorder.

Our sleep experts at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals have been diagnosing and treating adult sleep disorders for over 20 years. We are home to Europe’s largest sleep and ventilation service, with Royal Brompton recognised as one of the best hospitals in the world for lung care.

Lack of sleep not only adversely affects daytime activities due to trouble concentrating, low mood and irritability, but it can also damage your health. Sleep apnoea, for example, can increase the risk of high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, stroke and heart attacks. 

Our adult sleep studies provide an accurate diagnosis for anyone with signs of a sleep disorder. These can include: 

• difficulty falling or staying asleep 
• loud or heavy snoring 
• problems with your memory 
• waking up gasping for breath 
• your lack of sleep disrupts your waking life

If you are concerned that you may have a sleep disorder, our sleep specialists can help diagnose it quickly. Get in touch with our team to book an appointment.

What does a sleep study show?

Sleep studies are non-invasive and pain-free investigations. They can be helpful when investigating your symptoms as it can confirm a diagnosis and guide in the proper treatment or management plan for your needs. 

Some of the conditions our sleep study can diagnose include:

• circadian disorders (disruption of the body clock from jet lag or shift work) 
• idiopathic hypersomnia (chronic excessive daytime sleepiness) 
• insomnia (when you can’t sleep) 
• narcolepsy (where you suddenly fall asleep and can’t control it) 
• parasomnias (sleepwalking, talking, nightmares, sexsomnia) 
• REM sleep behaviour disorder (including nightmares and acting out dreams) 
• restless leg syndrome 
• sleep apnoea (interrupted breathing during sleep) 
• severe snoring

Once a sleep study has confirmed your sleep disorder, we can offer a bespoke management plan to help minimise your symptoms with the support of our sleep medicine services.

Types of sleep study we offer

We mostly perform home sleep studies which take place over 1 night – this provides a clear picture of your sleeping habits. We also offer in-hospital sleep studies (depending on your needs and health background).  

We will provide medical devices to measure your blood oxygen levels, airflow, breathing patterns and heart rate. We will assess your recordings and explain your results in a follow-up appointment. 

If you would like to learn more about the types of sleep study we offer, as well as how much they cost, contact our helpful team who can share more details.  

How to prepare for your sleep study

The first step in your sleep study is a sleep assessment with one of our world-leading sleep experts. We’ll ask you questions about your symptoms, family history, and medical background to learn more about your health. 

If you’re staying at our clinic overnight, you will need to bring your pyjamas (some people like to take a wash bag with their toiletries). 

We will tell you if you should follow any specific preparations before your sleep study.

What happens during a sleep study?

On the day of your sleep study, you will attend your appointment at an allotted time (usually in the evening). We will explain what to expect beforehand so you can feel confident when attending. 

A screening study is the most common type of sleep study we perform. 

During a screening study, we make overnight recordings of: 

• your oxygen levels by attaching a small clip to your finger 
• your breathing by taping a small sensor between your nose and upper lip 
• your chest and abdomen movements using Velcro straps to hold tiny sensors in place 

We will attach the sensors before 10pm. From that point, you can sleep whenever you feel ready. While sleeping, the sensors will send information to our computers about your breathing patterns, oxygen level and any other factors we’re assessing. 

Most of our patients enjoy a typical night’s sleep at our clinic. In some of our sleep studies, a nurse will be available throughout to always care for your health and wellbeing.

How long does a sleep study take?

We complete most sleep studies over 1 night. You should arrive for your appointment before you would typically go to sleep and remain there until the morning.

Are there any side effects with a sleep study?

A sleep study doesn’t have any side effects and you should be able to go home in the morning without needing to recover. 

Getting your sleep study results

We will compile the information we’ve collected during the night after you have completed the sleep study. Our sleep specialists will then review and assess your recordings to confirm or rule out different sleep disorders.

We will discuss your results, explain what they mean and provide personalised steps to take next.

Pricing

An initial assessment with one of our sleep consultants to determine care, diagnosis and treatment starts from £290. Please note that additional treatment and equipment costs vary. 

Contact our helpful team to learn more about our sleep studies, pricing, and different options to pay for your care.