What complication can arise from using alcohol before a sleep study?

Using alcohol before a sleep study can lead to an impaired arousal response, which influences the regulation of sleep events such as apneas and hypopneas. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and can disrupt the normal sleep architecture. Specifically, it can reduce the brain's responsiveness to disruptions during sleep, leading to longer and more frequent respiratory events. This impairment results in a decreased ability to awaken or respond to breathing difficulties, which can complicate the interpretation of sleep study results and suggest a more severe level of sleep-disordered breathing than might be present without the influence of alcohol. In this context, understanding the importance of arousal responses in the evaluation of sleep disorders is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.