If you suffer from a sleep disorder then one option you have is to spend the night at one of the growing number of available sleep clinics.
However before you attend you might want to get an idea of exactly what goes one when the lights go off.
Sleep Clinics give you a place to go to get professional help by doctors and consultants who specialize in sleep.
Since there are many different kinds of sleep disorders it is vital that you confirm which type of disorders they work with.
However most of them will cover the basics like sleep apnea and insomnia.
Like any clinic you will need to provide detailed information about your problem.
This is where a sleep diary can really help you.
Common questions are you current sleep patterns, any medications that you take and of course your nicotine and caffeine consumption.
If you're even thinking about spending the night at a sleep clinic make sure you start keeping track of your sleep habits now.
Once your history is taken it's time for the tests to begin.
In most cases you'll have to stay at least one night.
If you're there for insomnia then you'll need to stay multiple nights.
When you sleep each night they'll attach electrodes to parts of your body.
This is very similar to an electrocardiogram (ECG).
These electrodes will monitor different parts of your body throughout the night.
They also collect vital diagnostic information such as the phases of sleep you go through and how long you spend in each one.
Getting comfortable and used to sleeping in a strange place can be difficult at first.
The sleep clinics will provide everything you need and do their best to make it easy for you.
The next morning you'll be free to leave and the sleep clinic will follow up once the results of the ECG are analysed.
It is important to understand that sleep clinics are there to diagnose your sleep issues not to cure them.