Sleep Clinic: What to Expect and When to Go

About 1 in 5 adults snores and up to 1 in 15 has obstructive sleep apnea. If your nights are a mess or you feel drained during the day, a sleep clinic can give clear answers and practical fixes.

Go to a sleep clinic if you have loud, frequent snoring with gasps or choking, big daytime sleepiness, unexplained accidents or poor concentration, long-lasting insomnia, or suspected narcolepsy or restless legs. Kids who wet the bed a lot or who stop breathing during sleep should be checked too.

Before your visit, track two weeks of sleep: times you go to bed, wake up, naps, and any symptoms. Bring a list of meds, caffeine habits, and alcohol use. Avoid heavy naps and extra caffeine the day of the test. Pack comfortable clothes and anything you need to sleep better (glasses, CPAP mask if you already use one).

What happens during a sleep study?

Most clinics offer an overnight polysomnography (PSG). You arrive in the evening, a tech fits small sensors on your head, chest, legs, and finger. These record brain waves, breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and movements while you sleep. It sounds technical, but the sensors are lightweight and won’t stop you from sleeping for the most part.

Some people qualify for a home sleep apnea test instead. It’s simpler: you use a portable device at home that checks breathing, oxygen, and airflow. Home tests are good for suspected sleep apnea but not for complex problems like narcolepsy or periodic limb movement disorder.

If narcolepsy is suspected, you may get a daytime test called the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) after an overnight study. That one measures how quickly you fall asleep and whether you enter REM sleep too fast.

After the study: treatments and next steps

The clinic usually gives results in a few days to a week. For sleep apnea, the most common recommendation is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). CPAP keeps your airway open while you sleep and often changes symptoms quickly. If CPAP isn’t a fit, clinics may suggest an oral appliance, positional therapy, weight loss strategies, or referral to ENT for surgical options.

For insomnia, evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a top choice. It teaches habits and thinking changes that improve sleep without drugs. For restless legs or narcolepsy, specific meds and lifestyle plans can make a big difference.

Check whether the clinic is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) or your local equivalent — that usually means consistent quality. Ask about insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs before booking. Many clinics now offer telemedicine follow-ups for mask fittings, CPAP troubleshooting, or discussing results.

One last tip: be honest about your sleep habits and bring your sleep diary. The more accurate the info, the faster you get a plan that actually helps. A sleep clinic won’t fix everything overnight, but it will point you to treatments that give real, measurable results.