Sleep Lab (Polysomnography)

Unlocking the secrets to restful sleep

Sleep is an essential component of our daily lives and allows our bodies and minds to rejuvenate, restore and heal. However, achieving quantity and quality sleep can be a challenge for many individuals due to a wide range of conditions including snoring, sleep apnoea and insomnia.

Sleep disorders can significantly impact our overall well-being and quality of life. By understanding the different types of sleep disorders, the causes, and available treatment options, individuals can take proactive steps to improve their sleep health.

If you suspect you have a sleep disorder, come and see our healthcare professionals who can provide accurate diagnosis and guidance.

Understanding common sleep disorders

Sleep apnoea occurs when there is snoring with pauses in breathing. The snoring is caused by turbulent airflow in the airway while the breathing pauses indicate disrupted airflow, leading to reduced oxygen in the body. This leads to poor sleep quality, excessive sleepiness as well as damage to body organs such as the heart and brain.

Insomnia is characterised by difficulty falling or staying asleep. It can be caused by various factors including stress, anxiety, poor sleep habits or medical conditions such as chronic pain.

Other sleep disorders include restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and parasomnias including sleepwalking, sleep talking, nightmares, and night terrors.

Symptoms of sleep disorders

• Persistent difficulty falling and staying asleep
• Excessive sleepiness during the day
• Easily irritable
• Struggling to focus or concentrate
• Impaired memory
• Decreased performance and productivity
• Minor motor vehicle accidents

Common Sleep Disorder Interventions

Lifestyle Changes - Practising good sleep hygiene such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment and avoiding stimulants before bed. Managing stress through relaxation techniques can also significantly improve sleep quality.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) ­- A structured therapeutic approach that helps identify and modify negative thoughts and behaviours that contribute to insomnia. It focuses on improving sleep habits and promoting relaxation.

Medications - In certain cases, medications may be prescribed to manage sleep disorders. These may include sleep aids, antidepressants, or medications specifically designed to treat narcolepsy or restless leg syndrome.

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy – This is a treatment for sleep apnoea that blows air into the airway via a nasal mask in order to stop the snoring, restore oxygen delivery to the lungs and re-establish quality sleep.

Comprehensive Sleep Services at Prince Court Medical Centre

We recognise the importance of addressing sleep-related issues and the overall health impact. Our sleep study lab provides a comprehensive assessment to diagnose sleep disorders by accurately identifying the underlying causes of sleep problems.

Our experienced medical specialists, including Respiratory, Neurology, and ENT physicians, can develop personalised treatment plans to improve sleep health and enhance overall well-being.

Prince Court is one of the few private hospitals in Malaysia that offers the following:

Polysomnography / Sleep Study

This is a diagnostic test conducted in our specialised sleep lab where it captures a wide range of information, including brain waves (electroencephalogram or EEG), eye movements (electrooculogram or EOG), muscle activity (electromyogram or EMG), heart rate and rhythm (electrocardiogram or EKG), oxygen saturation levels in the blood (pulse oximetry), respiratory effort (chest and abdominal movements), and airflow. This data helps identify sleep stages, breathing patterns, and any abnormal movements during sleep.

Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)

This test measures the time it takes for you to fall asleep during the day. It helps evaluate excessive daytime sleepiness and determines if you have narcolepsy or other sleep disorders.
 

Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT)

The MWT measures your ability to stay awake during the day. It assesses the effectiveness of treatments for sleep disorders and determines if you are fit to perform tasks that require sustained attention such as driving.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) and BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) consultations and trials

Following diagnosis, Prince Court offers positive airway pressure therapy trials to our patients to determine the suitability of the device and promote a sustainable therapeutic outcome. 

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy

A diagnostic procedure is used to assess the nasal and throat passages and identify the site of obstruction. The endoscopy is performed by our ENT surgeons under sedation to replicate the relaxed state of the airway passages during sleep.

Sleep surgery

For some patients, surgical procedures are required to alleviate or eliminate the physical obstructions that contribute sleep apnoea. The choice of procedure depends on the specific anatomical factors contributing to the individual’s sleep disorder.