Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which you stop breathing while asleep. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when air cannot flow into or out of your nose or mouth. This is the most common type of sleep apnea.

Learn more about sleep apnea from Allina Sleep Centers.

Sleep studies

Polysomnography is a special study of your sleep. It records your brain activity, eye movements, breathing, heart rate, oxygen level, and chin and leg muscle movement patterns. For the sleep study, you will spend the night at a sleep center.

Learn more about sleep studies from Allina Sleep Centers.

Sleep study lab

The sleep lab provides specialized testing to identify difficulties with sleep and/or staying awake.

Sleep-related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea are relatively common and are associated with cardiac disease, high blood pressure and daytime sleepiness. These disorders can cause injuries at work and/or motor vehicle accidents. Identification of a sleep-related breathing disorder can lead to proper treatment and prevention of secondary effects.

What is a sleep study?

A sleep study (polysomnogram) provides important information about whether your sleep is frequently interrupted, preventing you from getting the rest your body needs.

Sleep studies at Cambridge Medical Center are conducted in a private, comfortable bedroom equipped with color television and a private bathroom with shower.

If, during the first part of the study, the results show that you have obstructive sleep apnea, the technician may try a treatment device to treat your symptoms and improve your sleep. After the test is completed a complementary, continental breakfast will be provided.

Staff and location

Our staff includes a board certified sleep doctor and registered sleep technologists. Cambridge Medical Center's sleep study lab is on the third floor of the hospital.

Lab hours

Sleep studies are performed five nights a week, varied times. Day sleep studies can be performed for patients that work evening shifts.

Allina Sleep Centers

We are part of Allina Sleep Centers, a network of comprehensive services for people who have difficulty staying awake during the day, falling asleep at night and/or staying asleep. To learn more, visit allina.com/sleep.

Sleep quiz

Do I have a sleep problem? The answers to a few simple questions may show whether you might need a sleep study.

EEG (electroencephalogram)

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to detect problems in the electrical activity of the brain.

Learn more about EEG testing in our health library.

EEG testing

Located within our sleep study lab area, EEG (electroencephalogram) testing is done to record the electrical activity of the brain. This may be done to assess seizures, epilepsy, brain injury, and other disorders that can affect the brain.

Electrodes are applied at key locations on your scalp with a thick water soluble paste. These electrodes pick up electrical impulses from the brain and record them. You will have an opportunity to remove excess paste following testing.

The test may include doing different things like breathing rapidly and deeply or having bright lights flashed in the room. These are some methods used to activate certain brain waves and make wave patterns more clear.