MedStar Health: Sleep Center at Glen Burnie

• Our sleep centers offer a sleep study in a comfortable, home-like setting and records functions of the lungs, heart, and other parts of the body. Testing is painless, risk-free, and usually takes one full night of recording and observation.

• Testing methods:

  • Polysomnogram (NPSG) is a sleep study that evaluates and records the patient's physical state during sleep periods. It includes EEG monitoring and records cardiac and respiratory parameters.

  • Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is a series of up to five daytime naps used to measure degree of daytime sleepiness, a hallmark of narcolepsy.

  • Maintenance Wakefulness Test (MWT) is used to measure how alert you are during the day. It shows whether you can stay awake for a defined period of time. The test is based on the idea that, in some cases, your ability to stay awake may be more important than how fast you fall asleep. This is an indicator of how well you can function and remain alert in quiet times of inactivity.

  • Home Sleep Test (HST) is often a convenient way to identify more severe cases of sleep apnea. A negative study may require a follow up with a sleep specialist and more sensitive polysomnogram testing.

    Titration Studies involve using a positive airway pressure machine (CPAP, BiPAP, or ASV) to treat patients diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. During the titration study, you will be asked to wear a mask and the machine air pressures will be adjusted to tolerance.

    • CPAP

    • BiPAP

    • ASV (adaptive servo ventilation)

What to expect

The MedStar Health Sleep Center at Glen Burnie can accommodate several patients each night. Special arrangements can be made for physically impaired patients or those in need of transport by ambulance.

Pre-testing tips

• Before your sleep study, bathe and wash your hair, avoiding conditioners, oils, and makeup. Clean hair and skin help the sensors stay attached.

• Stick to your normal routine. If you usually exercise, drink alcohol, or take medication before bed, ask your doctor whether you should do so the night of your study.

• Bring your toothbrush, sleepwear, pillow, books, magazines, and anything else that helps you sleep comfortably.

• Prior to testing, inform the technician whether a wake-up call is necessary in the morning.

• For your convenience, bedding, pillows, and blankets are provided by the sleep center. No outside bedding, pillows, and blankets are permitted.

No smoking is permitted in the facility.

Testing in the Sleep Center

Upon arrival, patients are shown to a private bedroom, asked to change into night clothes, and get ready for bed as usual. There may be a waiting period to read, watch television, and relax before the technician sees you. Shortly before bedtime, the technician will apply painless sensors to your face and neck, which will monitor your body responses and breathing patterns throughout the night.

The electrodes will record all heart, lung, and brain activity, muscle movements, nasal and mouth airflow, and the level of oxygen in your blood. In addition, all body movements are videotaped, and snoring, talking, or other noises are recorded during the test. A technician watches the recording on monitors throughout the night to ensure there are no problems with the equipment or the patient.

After your sleep study

After the sleep study results are analyzed and interpreted, a copy of the results will be sent to the referring physician and a sleep technician will call you with your results and recommendations. The results should give your doctor important information to help make a diagnosis, enabling him/her to recommend a treatment option.