REM Sleep Diagnostics maintains an extensive amount of informational materials for use by physicians and healthcare professionals including information on conferences and CME, sleep health news and online journals, professional associations and technology.

IMPORTANT: The information contained on/within this is web site/web page is provided as a public service by REM Sleep Diagnostics, which is soley responsible for any/all content. NO attempt to provide clinical diagnosis and/or treatment of/for any medical condition is made, offered, or inferred herein. Sleep Disorders may indicate, or, present in and of themselves, (a) serious health condition(s). Consult your primary care physician or other appropriate medical professional, should you suspect that you, or someone you know, may have a Sleep Disorder(s)

1. Services Overview
2. The Sleep Study Process

Services Overview

REM Sleep Diagnostics primarily provides diagnostic sleep studies for people with symptoms of Sleep Disorders, or who may otherwise be experiencing sleep difficulties.

REM Sleep Diagnostics affords residents of the Huntsville, Texas area local access to a modern, state-of-the-art Sleep Clinic and Board Certified Sleep Physicians. We also furnish patients and health professionals alike with appropriate clinical information regarding various types of Sleep Disorders and practical knowledge concerning good sleep health.

REM Sleep Diagnostics, through various outreach programs, including this web site, is also involved in educating the general community about Sleep Disorders and promoting the importance of sleep health issues. We can provide the appropriate medical equipment (CPAP, BiPAP) most often used in the treatment of sleep disordered breathing.

The Sleep Study Process

A Sleep Study (Polysomnogram) is a medical test that records a variety of bodily functions (each is called a parameter) during sleep. The results are recorded on a computer and displayed on a high resolution computer screen, or printed out for interpretation by a specially trained Medical Technician called a POLYSOMNOGRAPHER.

REM Sleep Diagnostics performs Sleep Studies in a state-of-the-art SLEEP CLINIC SUITE that looks a lot like a comfortable hotel room.

What is measured on each patient test varies depending on the individual's case. The recording of a patient's parameters is considered non-invasive and painless. The Polysomnography Technologist places small sensors, called electrodes, on the patient's scalp, face, chin, chest, and legs. The technologist takes great care in applying the sensors to the patient. This non-painful process takes about 45 minutes.

Some parameters measured include:

• Brain waves measured via skin surface electrodes located at several key points on the head. Readings gathered from these sources help ascertain if a person is awake or asleep, and what stages of sleep a person is experiencing.
• Eye movements measured via skin surface electrodes located above and below the eyes.
• Muscle tension measured via skin surface electrodes located on the chin.
• Leg movements measured via skin surface electrodes located on the lower legs.
• Breathing measured with respiratory belts which measure chest movement and effort to breathe.
• Snoring amplitude is measured via a sensitive microphone connected to an audio recorder.

• Blood oxygen levels measured via a small sensor attached to the finger. No blood is drawn.
• Video recording via infrared camera that provides a visual record of the patient sleeping.

In addition to monitoring sleep stages, the technologist is carefully observing the patient's breathing. Many patients present with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), a condition that can be caused by excessive soft tissue in the upper airways.

A person who has Obstructive Sleep Apnea may stop breathing several times a night. Apnea can have very serious consequenses if left untreated, including an increased risk of heart failure and stroke. Anyone can have Sleep Apnea, as it is not just present in the very obese. Fortunately, OSAS is very treatable by methods such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), or Mandibular advancement devices.

One of the most-asked questions patients have is: "How am I going to be able to get to sleep with all these things attached to my body?" Surprisingly, most people are able to fall asleep without any difficulty. The technologist takes great care in applying all sensors to a patient and the sensors are applied so that the patient can turn and move normally during sleep. In most instances, the patient becomes unaware of the sensors after having them on for just a short while. The technologist also endeavours to make each patient's environment as comfortable as possible.