If you’re constantly tired, snoring loudly, or struggling to stay awake during the day, a sleep clinic is where real answers begin. At the Sleep Center Bangladesh in Dhaka, we specialize in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders using advanced technology and expert care. Here’s exactly what happens when you visit a sleep clinic — from your first appointment to the overnight study — so you know precisely what to expect.
What is Done in a Sleep Clinic?
A sleep clinic is a medical facility dedicated exclusively to evaluating, diagnosing, and treating sleep disorders. Unlike a regular hospital or general physician, everything here revolves around understanding how you sleep and why you might not be getting restful, restorative sleep. Activities include detailed consultations, overnight sleep studies (polysomnography), home sleep testing, CPAP/BiPAP titration studies, follow-up result reviews, and personalized treatment planning.
What Happens During a Sleep Clinic Visit?
Your journey typically involves three main phases:
- Initial Consultation – Discussion of symptoms and medical history
- Diagnostic Testing – Usually an overnight sleep study (in-lab or at-home)
- Results & Treatment – Detailed report explanation and customized therapy plan
Most patients complete the entire process within 2–4 weeks.
What Happens at the First Sleep Clinic Appointment?
Your very first visit (30–60 minutes) is all about understanding your problem:
- A sleep specialist (often an ENT doctor, pulmonologist, or neurologist) takes a detailed history: snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, mood changes, etc.
- You’ll fill out standardized questionnaires like the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and STOP-BANG questionnaire.
- Physical examination focusing on airway (nose, throat, BMI, neck circumference).
- The doctor decides whether you need an overnight sleep study, a home sleep apnea test, or further investigations (e.g., blood tests for thyroid or iron levels).
- You receive clear instructions about the upcoming sleep study and what to bring (comfortable pajamas, regular medications, toiletries).
No testing is done on the first visit — it’s purely consultative.
Do They Wake You Up During a Sleep Study?
Generally, no — the goal is to let you sleep as naturally as possible. However:
- Technologists may gently wake you if a sensor falls off or if they need to adjust equipment for accurate data.
- In CPAP titration studies, they may enter the room silently during the night to place or adjust the mask once apnea events are confirmed.
- If you have severe oxygen drops or safety concerns, they will intervene immediately.
- Most patients sleep 5–7 hours and are woken gently at around 5:30–6:00 AM to remove sensors.
Is Someone Watching You During a Sleep Study?
Yes — but in a completely professional and non-intrusive way:
- A certified sleep technologist monitors you live from a separate control room using infrared cameras and two-way audio.
- They watch physiological data (brain waves, breathing, heart rate, leg movements) in real time.
- Video recording is only of your body position and movements — no private activities are recorded.
- The technologist can see if you’re uncomfortable, having an apnea event, or need assistance (e.g., bathroom break).
- Your privacy and dignity are strictly protected; only clinical staff access the data.
What to Expect from a Sleep Doctor?
A good sleep specialist will:
- Explain your results using simple language and visual graphs from the sleep study.
- Tell you exactly what disorder (if any) you have and its severity (mild, moderate, severe).
- Discuss all treatment options — lifestyle changes, CPAP, oral appliances, surgery, medications, or positional therapy.
- Answer every question patiently and involve you in decision-making.
- Schedule follow-ups to ensure treatment is working and make adjustments as needed.
At Sleep Center Bangladesh, Dr. M. Muinul Hafiz personally reviews every report and meets patients for detailed result discussions.
Top 3 Most Common Sleep Disorders Diagnosed in Clinics (Bangladesh & Worldwide)
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – 80–90% of patients referred to sleep clinics Airway collapses repeatedly during sleep → loud snoring, breathing pauses, daytime fatigue. Very common in urban Bangladesh due to obesity, pollution, and nasal issues.
- Insomnia – Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep Often stress-related; affects professionals, students, and shift workers significantly.
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) / Periodic Limb Movement Disorder Uncomfortable urge to move legs at night, disrupting sleep onset and continuity.
Other frequent diagnoses include narcolepsy, parasomnias (sleepwalking, night terrors), and central sleep apnea.
Final Thoughts
Visiting a sleep clinic is not scary — it’s empowering. You arrive tired and uncertain; you leave with a clear diagnosis and a proven plan to feel refreshed every morning. Most patients tell us, “I wish I had come sooner!”
If snoring, daytime drowsiness, or unrefreshing sleep is affecting your life, book your consultation today at Sleep Center Bangladesh (Gulshan-2, Dhaka).
Call/WhatsApp: +88 01955 533 859
Email: sleepcenterbd@gmail.com
Take the first step toward better sleep — because you deserve to wake up truly rested.