I found this to be an interesting topic; I have been reading and looking for a reply, but I have been unsuccessful: An event directly influenced by technology I experienced was how I came to be diagnosed with narcolepsy. From high school to college to working my first full-time professional job, I was constantly exhausted to the point of falling asleep at my desk or while driving. Couldn't I have no control over my ability to stay awake; I help patients. As you can imagine, it looks awful to your employer if you fall asleep at work. My doctors told me I was low on iron and needed more sleep. A few years ago, my doctor recommended I see a sleep doctor and have polysomnography (sleep study). Polysomnography is a technology that changed my life because it was able to discover that I have a sleeping disorder, identify the specific sleep disorder, and measure the severity of the sleep disorder. The polysomnography technology consists of a machine with dozens of cords and adhesive sensors on the ends, which are attached to the patient's head and face. These sensors can monitor and record brain waves, eye movements, sleep stages, and sleep cycles, which lead to a diagnosis (Mayo Foundation, 2023).

The takeaway of polysomnography technology is how incredible it is that so much data can be collected from adhesive sensors and used to make a medical diagnosis. Technology is a critical part of the medical field and a powerful tool for doctors to diagnose correctly. Polysomnography technology has enhanced my understanding of technology has a role in medicine. Advancing technology is the answer to helping doctors understand what patients need. Technology and doctors work side by side to diagnose illnesses so that the correct treatment can be used. Without polysomnography and receiving the right treatment, I would likely have caused a car accident by now and would struggle to hold a job.