At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.
What is a Sleep Lab?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
A sleep lab or sleep clinic is a facility which has been designed for the purpose of studying sleep disorders. Because the study of such disorders requires getting people to go to sleep, a sleep lab is designed to be a comfortable place to sleep in addition to being a scientific facility. These labs are often attached to major universities and hospitals, although in some cases they are entirely separate entities.
People enter the lab when they participate in a sleep study. There are two reasons to participate in a sleep study: to diagnose specific conditions, or to contribute to general advancements in the field of sleep research. In the instance of a specific condition, a patient will be asked to go to sleep lab so that technicians can collect data on the patient's sleep patterns to look into problems as varied as sleep apnea and snoring. For more general studies, people agree to be studied so researchers can learn more about sleep.
Most sleep labs are divided into a number of patient rooms which are designed much like hotel rooms, with beds and basic amenities to make sleep more natural and comfortable. Depending on the design, patients may have private bathrooms, or they may use shared bathroom facilities, and many labs also have shower facilities so people can go directly from the lab to work in the morning.
Patient rooms in sleep labs are typically equipped with normal beds, and equipment is often hidden in cupboards or the walls to make the room feel more natural. The lab may also include a lab for the analysis of samples, along with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine and other diagnostic equipment which may be used as part of the sleep study.
Depending on what is being studied, a patient may wear various monitors as he or she sleeps to look at things like brain activity, heart activity, changes in blood pressure, and so forth. Generally, a sleep technician works with the patient when he or she arrives, explaining what will happen and the purpose of the study and ensuring that the patient feels comfortable. After the sleep study has been completed, the patient's information will be sent to his or her doctor, or compiled in research material used to study sleep.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![A sleep lab may have an MRI machine.]()
By: Mikhail KondrashovA sleep lab may have an MRI machine. -
![Sleep labs study sleep disorders.]()
By: AriwasabiSleep labs study sleep disorders. -
![Physicians use the results of a sleep study to diagnose and treat sleep apnea and other disorders.]()
By: Sanjay DevaPhysicians use the results of a sleep study to diagnose and treat sleep apnea and other disorders.
Discussion Comments
@ Babalaas- Sleep disorders can be debilitating and quite unhealthy. Lack of sleep can lead to diminished mental alertness, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, undue stress, and the likes. Sleep apnea is one of the most common disorders that adults suffer from, and is defined by delayed or struggled breathing. The good thing about sleep apnea is that it is treatable.
While life may sometimes require that you lose sleep, making a habit of it can be dangerous to your health. While you may not be able to catch up on lost sleep, taking a day of rest every once in a while will surely help you recover and improve your chances of getting through college without putting your body through as much stress.
@ Babalaas- I think that there are two different types of sleep disorder labs. Labs that specialize in medical studies may pay you for your participation, but finding these studies can be tough. The more common type of sleep lab is a diagnosis and treatment facility that specializes sleep disorders. You can check into one of these sleep clinics and have professionals monitor your sleep patterns to see if you are suffering from a sleep disorder.
How would one participate in a sleep study? Do they pay you for your time? I am an example of a caffeine dependent sleep deprived Zombie, and I think it would be great to help advance the study of sleep (I'm a working student with a toddler). It would also be great to be paid to sleep, or at least sleep in a study lab for a cause.
Post your comments