Doesn’t everyone snore?
Most people snore at some point. You are more likely to snore if you have a cold, are very tired, lay on your back or after ingesting alcohol or certain medications. Many people snore several times a week or every night. The snoring might indicate a very serious sleep disorder; sleep apnea. Snoring is partial closure of the throat causing the tissue to vibrate and cause the snoring. For many, the throat tissue closes off completely and causes the person to stop breathing. This is called sleep apnea and contributes to conditions such as daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart failure.
Do I have to stay overnight in the hospital for the test?
Most people can be tested in the comfort of their own bed. A small device consisting of a belt, finger probe and breathing monitor is applied before bed and removed in the morning. The data is then sent to a doctor specializing in sleep medicine to be assessed. The client is called with the results and report is sent to your family doctor.
I can‘t wear a big mask when I sleep, I’m claustrophobic. Is there something else I can use?
The gold standard treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). Often a small device is applied under the nose and a light flow of air is blown into the throat to keep it open so the person can breathe at night exactly like they do during the day. They can get into a deep sleep instead of having many awakenings as they catch their breath. A one month free trial is offered to make sure the treatment is beneficial to you.
Aren’t those machines really noisy?
Many people are using really old CPAP machines. A life expectancy for a CPAP machine is 5-6 years. After that they become noisy and lose their pressure through the night. The older machines have noisy motors and less insulation to dampen the noise. The new machines are very quiet, almost silent in fact. Much better than snoring for sure!
Can I afford a CPAP machine?
Your health insurance plan most likely will cover CPAP equipment. If you already have a CPAP machine you were usually covered for replacement tubes and filters. A new CPAP machine is generally covered every five years.
To Schedule an Appointment or request additional information Call Us at the Sleep Clinic near you: KV Sleep Clinic 506.847.5100 or Sussex Sleep Clinic 506.434.7667