How can lifestyle factors impact polysomnography results?

Lifestyle factors can significantly influence the outcomes observed in polysomnography, particularly by altering sleep architecture. Sleep architecture refers to the structure and pattern of sleep cycles, including the distribution of different sleep stages such as REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep. Factors such as stress, caffeine consumption, smoking, alcohol intake, exercise habits, and overall sleep hygiene can affect how deeply and how well a person sleeps.

For instance, high caffeine consumption can lead to difficulties in falling asleep or maintaining deep sleep, while stress may cause increased awakenings or disruptions in sleep patterns. These alterations can manifest during a polysomnography study, impacting the data collected about the patient's sleep stages, ultimately leading to potentially misleading interpretations and diagnoses.

Understanding that lifestyle factors can alter sleep architecture underscores the importance of obtaining a thorough sleep history before conducting a polysomnography to ensure that the results are as accurate and meaningful as possible.