Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent but underdiagnosed sleep disorder affecting millions, including nearly a quarter of adults in British Columbia.
Untreated OSA can lead to severe health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, and an increased risk of motor vehicle and workplace accidents.
CanSleep, with two clinics in Victoria and six more across the province, is urging residents to get tested and seek treatment to improve their health and quality of life. You can even perform the test in the comfort of your own home!
The importance of diagnosing sleep apnea
OSA occurs when the airway collapses during sleep, causing repeated interruptions in breathing. These disruptions prevent restorative sleep, leading to a host of problems.
"OSA results in poor quality sleep and deprives the body of necessary oxygen," says Michelle Conville, clinical lead for CanSleep. “Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve your quality of life and prevent serious health issues.”
Common symptoms include loud snoring, frequent nighttime awakenings, morning headaches, and daytime drowsiness.
The majority of OSA sufferers in North America remain undiagnosed, unaware of the nocturnal respiratory pauses that disrupt their sleep. In British Columbia alone, studies estimate that 24.5% of adults between the ages of 30 and 69 suffer from some level of OSA, yet only a small fraction are formally diagnosed.
"Many people don’t realize they have sleep apnea because they might not fully wake up during these breathing interruptions," Conville says.
Early diagnosis is crucial
Early diagnosis and treatment for OSA is crucial to ensure optimal sleep and overall quality of life. Booking an appointment with Cansleep is easy, and its team of qualified professionals can walk you through the process of picking up a sleep recorder, walk you through the testing process and review your results.
"Even mild sleep apnea needs attention to prevent long-term health issues," Conville says.
Left untreated, OSA not only affects the individual’s health but also increases the risk of accidents due to excessive daytime sleepiness. Chronic sleep deprivation from OSA is associated with difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, low energy and emotional instability, all of which can severely impact daily life and overall well-being.
Home sleep apnea testing: Convenient and effective
CanSleep offers Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT), a convenient way to diagnose sleep apnea from the comfort of your own bed.
"Home Sleep Apnea Testing is easy and available at no cost with a physician’s referral," Conville says.
CanSleep assists patients in coordinating referrals, simplifying the process and saving time.
The process involves using a sleep recorder overnight at home, which will be connected to a:
- Nasal cannula – to measure breathing patterns.
- Finger sensor – to measure heart rate and oxygen levels.
- Snore throat sensor – to measure snoring.
- Effort belt – measures changes during breathing.
A Sleep Specialist then analyzes the data collected and the results are sent to the patient's physician, as well as communicated to the patient.
"We provide step-by-step instructions and support to ensure the test is easy and comfortable for our patients," Conville explains.
This method allows patients to be diagnosed without the need for an overnight stay in a sleep lab, making it a more accessible option for many.
Comprehensive CPAP therapy for effective treatment
For those diagnosed with sleep apnea, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is a proven and effective treatment. CanSleep’s clinics provide personalized care throughout the CPAP therapy journey.
"Our team of respiratory therapists and sleep clinicians offer ongoing support to ensure the success and comfort of CPAP therapy," Conville says.
This includes regular follow-up calls to check on comfort and mask fit, troubleshooting tips, and reviewing therapy results.
For more information about CanSleep and how to coordinate your Home Sleep Apnea Testing, visit cansleep.ca.
