The Basics about Sleep Scoring

Sleep Scoring is a process (analysis of Sleep Studies) which looks into the activities of the body during sleep. The process, involved in such studies, is also known as polysomnography. Scoring Sleep Study is one of the newest branches in medical science. It has been only 4 decades since Allen Rechtshaffen and Anthony Kales standardized the method in which Sleep Scoring should be done. However, it has to be agreed that the subsequent advances in technology have had a huge effect on Scoring Sleep Studies and shaped it into what it is now.

There are primarily 2 types into which Sleep Study can be classified. While Automatic Sleep Study Scoring makes the process completely dependent on the machines with minimum or no manual intervention, Manual Sleep Study Scoring still relies on the participation of Sleep Experts in the process. Although the former is faster and low in cost, it is still widely regarded that Manual Sleep Study Scoring produces more accurate results. Sleep Scoring Outsourcing has emerged as a way to tackle the relatively higher cost of Manual Sleep Study Scoring.

The upgrading of the technologies, associated with Sleep Scoring, has played a pivotal role in determining the path which Sleep Scoring took. Projections, made in ink and paper, have been replaced with projections on computer screens and monitors. High level equipment is used to get results faster and in a convenient manner. However, the majority, of the revered group of Sleep Specialists, believe that no amount of automation can completely take away the human element from Sleep Study Scoring.

Popular Bad Habits Resulting in Unwanted Sleep Scoring Results

Sleep Scoring sessions, followed by consultations of the patients, have revealed some common bad habits, indulged in before bedtime, that cause disturbances during sleep. These habits act as deterring factors to Sleep creating hurdles on the way to a good night’s sleep. Let’s take a look at them.

Alcohol before Bedtime

Ending the day with a drink or two is quite popular, especially among professionals. Although alcohol does seem to help you doze off, it interferes with the later stage of deep Sleep. The stage of deep Sleep is vital for the body to rest properly and repair any damages. Do note that the higher the numbers of drinks are, more the time it stays in the body.

Caffeine in Excess

Coffee or caffeine in excess should be avoided. Apart from the usual complications like upset tummies, etc., caffeine also interferes with sleep as it blocks the body from winding down. It is so effective that large amounts of coffee, taken even during the day, can keep a person awake at night.

Irregular Sleep Timings

Going to bed at regular times helps get a good quality of sleep. If the body is given regular timings for any task, it prepares and performs better in such situations. Sleeping at irregular times every day is equivalent to forcing the body between different time zones. Sleep Experts have labeled this event has “social jet lag”.

Avoid the above before going to bed in order to improve the quality of your Sleep. A good night’s Sleep can go a long way in improving your health and lifestyle and filling you with energy. You can contact a Sleep Scoring Services center for details on this.

Important Things Responsible for Accurate Sleep Scoring

Sleep Scoring Study is the study of a person’s Sleep Behaviour based on which Sleep Disorders are diagnosed. However, sleep has been the grey area of medical science for a long time and it’s only recently that researches and studies have been conducted to understand it better. Thus, you should be careful in ensuring that the Sleep Clinic, which you are visiting, has the requisite team of experts and technology to provide accurate analysis. The following are some of the important things which affect the results of Sleep Scoring.

Go Manual

There are broadly 2 types of Sleep Scoring techniques available: Manual Sleep Scoring & Automatic Sleep Scoring. Although Automatic Sleep Scoring is much more convenient and easy for the Sleep Center but it is known that Manual Sleep Scoring produces much more accurate results. Sleep cannot be studied independent of the lifestyle of the subject. This is especially true for night shift workers and those with diseases effecting sleep. Manual Scoring allows the scope of evaluating the sleep in a much broader scale creating inclusive results.

 Customized Scoring Time

Different people have different sleeping times. Make sure you sleep during your normal periods of sleep even for the test. The top centers for Sleep Scoring Services have customized testing schedules to accommodate the same.

Go to Sleep Naturally – Relax

The idea that one’s sleep will be tested may give bouts of anxiety to the subject. It is very important to ensure that you go to sleep in a relaxed state of mind. Proper guidance and counseling from the Sleep Testing Center often goes a long way in ensuring the same.

The above are some of the ways in which you can help the Sleep Specialists create an accurate map of your sleep. Going to a Sleep Scoring Center which is a recognized center for Sleep Scoring Outsourcing is another reliable way of getting good results.   

Why to Avoid Shortcuts in Sleep Study through Auto Scoring Tools?

Sleep Study Scoring is a vital part of Sleep Analysis. Among the 2 methods of Sleep Scoring, viz. Manual Sleep Study Scoring and Automatic Sleep Scoring, the former is believed to be better. Although auto scoring is faster and more convenient to implement, many experts recommend manual scoring for patients suffering from Sleep Disorder. This blog analyzes the reasons why manual scoring is preferred by most Sleep Doctors.

Sleep Study Scoring is a very new area in the field of Sleep Analysis. Sleep, in itself, is a complex activity which involves lot of biophysical and neurological activities. Each of these activities differs in intensity and frequency from individual to individual. The automatic process of Sleep Scoring follows a definite standard of comparison and does not take the individual differences into consideration. This often affects the accuracy of the results which in its turn can lead to wrong diagnosis. Thus, it is far better that the Manual Sleep Study Scoring is used. Another factor, which forces patients to use the auto scoring methods, is that they cost lesser as they use lesser man power. You can easily escape the higher prices through Sleep Scoring Outsourcing.

The manual techniques engage the services of experts who are present throughout the process of Sleep Scoring. They are provided with the complete knowledge of the patient’s lifestyle so that it can be taken into consideration while analyzing the readings. The presence of experts plays a vital role in increasing the accuracy of Manual Sleep Study Scoring. Thus, it is best to go for manual scoring to obtain accurate results and faster treatment.

What is Polysomnography (PSG) or Sleep Study?

Polysomnography is a Sleep Scoring technique or study of sleep, performed taking multiple parameters into consideration. The purpose of the test is to determine or eliminate the Sleep Disorders from which the subject maybe ailing. The procedure involves the recording of various biological and physiological changes which a person goes through while sleeping. The recordings are then subjected to comparison with the known Sleep Disorder readings to confirm or reject the possibilities.

The patient is called to the Sleep Clinic in the evening. After briefing him on the procedure, he is then wired up to the machines which start recording the various changes as soon as he falls asleep. The recordings are done through a minimum of 12 channels requiring at least 22 attachments. Some of the body functions, which are measured during the test, are brain activity, muscle activity, eye movements, heart rhythm, respiratory functions, etc. Once the test is over with the person waking, the most important parameters which are analyzed include sleep onset latency (time taken to fall asleep), sleep efficiency (the ratio between the amount of time spent on bed and the amount of sleep), sleep stages, breathing irregularities (if any), sleep interruptions, cardiac rhythm, leg movements, position of the body while sleeping, and oxygen saturation.

Although the entire procedure can be conducted without any human intervention, it is widely believed that for achieving high accuracy in results, the presence of Sleep Technicians and Sleep Experts is required. The procedure, where the experts are present, is called Manual Sleep Study Scoring.