What is the primary purpose of polysomnography?

The primary purpose of polysomnography is to diagnose sleep disorders by recording brain activity. This comprehensive diagnostic test captures various physiological parameters during sleep, including brain waves (electroencephalography), oxygen levels in the blood, heart rate, and muscle activity. By obtaining this data, polysomnography reveals critical information about sleep architecture and can help identify conditions such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and other sleep-related disorders. This multifaceted approach allows healthcare professionals to analyze patterns and disruptions in sleep, leading to appropriate management and treatment options for the patient.

Other options, while they pertain to areas of health, do not specifically address the unique focus of polysomnography. For instance, assessing dietary habits does not involve the measurement of sleep parameters, and monitoring physical fitness or evaluating respiratory function during exercise are not directly related to sleep diagnosis.