Clinical Services > Diagnostic Services

Sleep Disorders
530.532.8308

Sleep is essential to mental and physical health. Although most of us take a good night's sleep for granted, many individuals suffer from sleep disorders which may interfere with daily life and have serious health consequences. These include insomnia, difficulties staying awake, excessive snoring with pauses in breathing (sleep apnea), restless legs syndrome, sleepwalking, nightmares and other problems that interfere with sleep.

Oroville Hospital's sleep facility is equipped for comprehensive, overnight sleep studies, and is staffed by certified and registered polysomnographers. Your doctor will order a sleep study (polysomnography) to evaluate the quality and depth of your sleep. Sleep testing monitors what goes on in your body during the sleep process. Measurements are taken of brain wave activity, muscle movement, eye movement, breathing, level of blood oxygen and heart rate.

Information about brain waves is obtained by applying small electrodes to your head using a removable paste. A plastic clip is attached to your finger or earlobe to monitor oxygen and heart rate. Flexible elastic belts around your chest and abdomen measure breathing. Although these devices may feel strange, most people do not find them uncomfortable.

We do our best to provide a homey, bedroom environment during your sleep study. Lights are kept low, and sleep testing equipment - aside from the parts in contact with your body - are placed in an area adjoining the sleep room. After your test, a qualified physician will review your test results.