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University of California San Francisco
Patient Education

Overnight Sleep Study

At the UCSF Sleep Disorders Center, one of the methods we use to diagnose sleep disorders is an overnight sleep study. If you are scheduled for an overnight sleep study at our center, your referring doctor will provide you with instructions about how to prepare for this evaluation. It's important that you don't take any sleeping medication, alcohol or caffeine-containing beverages before the study.

A sleep study, also known as a polysomnogram, is a combination of procedures that test a patient's sleep cycles and stages. It consists of continuous recordings of brain waves using an electroencephalogram, eye movement using an electrooculogram, electrical activity of muscles, blood oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and heart rhythm, along with direct observation of the sleeping person.

On the evening of your sleep study, you'll arrive at the Sleep Testing Laboratory and will be provided a comfortable private room. Electrodes will be placed on your scalp, the outer edge of your eyelids and on your chin. Instruments will record your movements, the time it takes you to fall asleep, and other factors. You also will be videotaped while you are sleeping.

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.

Conditions we treat

  • Insomnia

  • Narcolepsy

  • Periodic leg movements

  • Sleep apnea

Recommended reading

Improve Your Sleep Hygiene

Find tips on improving your sleep hygiene such as, sleep as much as needed to feel refreshed and healthy during the following day, and more.

Melatonin and Sleeping Pills

Melatonin is a hormone naturally found in the brain. In the absence of light, the pineal gland secretes melatonin, which may make you sleepy. Learn more here.

Sleep Quiz

This quiz has been designed to help you identify potential sleep problems. Check the symptoms here that describe how you sleep.

Snoring

An estimated 20 percent of the population snores. Snoring is a symptom of a narrow or closed airway that can be caused by a number of things. Learn more here.

Tips for a Better Night's Sleep

Patients with sleep problems can follow some simple guidelines for a better night's sleep including: maintaining a regular sleep schedule and avoiding naps.

Related clinics

Neuro/Psych Sleep Clinic

400 Parnassus Ave., Eighth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143

(415) 353-2273
M-F, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sleep Disorders Center

2330 Post St., Suite 420
San Francisco, CA 94115

(415) 885-7886
M-F, 9 a.m. - noon, 2 - 5 p.m.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea Surgery Clinic

2380 Sutter St., Third Floor
San Francisco, CA 94115

(415) 353-2757
M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Did you know?

Could video games be digital medicine? UCSF's Neuroscape lab is developing video games and other high-tech tools to improve cognition and help treat a variety of disorders, including ADHD, autism, depression, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Learn more
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