Sleep is essential to good physical and mental health, and yet it is estimated that nearly 50 percent of Americans deal with at least one type of sleep disorder at some point in their lives. This may include difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night, or lack of restful sleep. Untreated sleep disorders can lead to serious long-term health problems, including depression, loss of libido, elevated blood pressure, and heart arrhythmias. 

The sleep center at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE) offers a full range of diagnostic services for adults and children affected by sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, insomnia, narcolepsy, periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), and daytime sleepiness. 

Sleep Studies at NYEE

Our experienced sleep specialists are boarded certified in sleep medicine and pulmonary medicine. Typically, an initial visit to our center includes a consultation with one of our sleep specialists, followed by a sleep study done in our fully accredited, state-of-the-art sleep laboratory. As patients sleep, data is collected to diagnose sleep problems.

There are a number of tests to help diagnose the cause of patients' sleep problems, including the following: 

Sleep Study (Nocturnal Polysomnography or NPSG): This is the benchmark standard for screening most sleep disorders. Studies start at 9PM and end at 6AM. The study begins with electrode application, and our trained technicians monitor the patient throughout the night.

Used to screen for: Sleep disordered breathing, including sleep apnea, poor sleep architecture (the basic structure of sleep patterns) and efficiency, and periodic limb movements (PLM).

Your Sleep Study: What to Expect Brochure

CPAP / BiPAP Titration Study: This test also starts at 9PM and ends at 6AM. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a medical device that provides a constant flow of air into the patient's airway. The constant airflow keeps the airway open and prevents the airway from collapsing (apnea). During the study, our sleep technologists slowly adjust the device to find the right amount of air pressure to prevent the upper airway from becoming blocked. Responses to the airflow are monitored and recorded.

Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) is similar to CPAP, but provides different pressures for inhalation (inspiration) and exhalation (expiration) of air. The device cycles between the two pressures as the patient breathes. Responses to the airflow are monitored and recorded.

Used to screen for: Sleep-related breathing disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and hypoventilation and hypoxemia.

Your CPAP Application: What to Expect Brochure

Fatigue Studies (Multiple Sleep Latency Test or MSLT): These tests are conducted during the day and after a standard sleep study. The study involves four or five naps (20 minutes each) separated by 1.5 hours of wakefulness. 

Used to screen for: The MSLT is the benchmark standard for screening for narcolepsy.

Your Multiple Sleep Latency Test: What to Expect Brochure

Test results are returned to the referring physician within two weeks. 

Accommodations

Our center features a six-bedroom suite, where patients spend the night in a quiet, comfortable room with a private bathroom. Most rooms have full-size, temperature sensing foam beds, nightstands, lamps, and televisions. Pediatric testing rooms have two beds to accommodate the child and a parent. Specially trained sleep technicians apply electrodes to the patient’s head and body.