Polysomnographic Technologist

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Definition - What does Polysomnographic Technologist mean?

A polysomnographic technologist is a certified specialist who performs exhaustive sleep test studies by identifying, monitoring, and recording biorhythms that indicate if the test subject is a candidate for a potential sleep disorder. Polysomnography is the criterion used to analyze bioelectric and physiological functions and processes during sleep including brainwave activity, heart rate, breathing patterns, blood oxygen concentration levels, and eye movements.

SureHire explains Polysomnographic Technologist

Sleep disorders are a prevalent issue that, if left untreated, can have an adverse impact on primary cognitive abilities coupled with the development of detrimental health conditions. A polysomnographic technologist utilizes technical equipment that incorporates placement of electrodes fitted with sensors attached to the body to provide graphical input of sleep pattern deviations. Biofeedback serves to document each sleep stage cycle and concomitant disturbances that are symptomatic of a particular sleep disorder including insomnia, narcolepsy, or sleep apnea.

The etiological implications linked with sleep disorders are a financial constraint to employers due to high healthcare costs. For instance, sleep-deprived individuals are more susceptible to debilitating health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and stroke. Statistics indicate that insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and restless legs syndrome (RLS) are the most common sleep disorders that drain the economic purse on medical care expenditures in the workplace. However, a polysomnographic technologist can provide the correct therapeutic technique to help mitigate the effects of sleep disorders. For instance, a positive airway pressure (PAP) device assists patients with sleep apnea by regulating oxygen intake to normalize breathing.

A polysomnographic technologist coordinates a strategy with a physician to determine the proper treatment modality in promoting healthy sleep for any patient.

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