Frequently Asked Questions

While sometimes there is evidence of a family history of sleep apnea, there has been no proven genetic linkage.

The current evidence does show that sleep apnea is a significant but reversible risk factor towards heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation and hypertension. Treatment can be helpful in reducing this risk.

Patients with treated sleep apnea should not lose their driver’s license because of a sleep apnea diagnosis.

Patients with narcolepsy, especially associated with cataplexy, have a high risk of motor vehicle accidents and must be reported to the Ministry of Transportation. Patients with well treated narcolepsy can sometimes drive.

Obesity is the most frequent cause of obstructive sleep apnea and if weight loss can be achieved and maintained sleep apnea can improve. Upper airway surgery occasionally may result in cure. You should however never stop your treatment without discussing this with your sleep physician.

All patients are required to be referred by a licensed physician or dentist.

A sleep study is an insured benefit in the Province of Ontario. There are no direct costs to patients.

You will have a private room with a large-sized comfortable bed. Most patients are able to sleep reasonably. We do recognize that people sometimes do not sleep outside of their normal environment and we take this into account when analyzing the results from your study.

There will be a technologist assigned to look after you who will be responsible for two other patients.

There is no proven medication to cure sleep apnea.

Upper airway (UPPP) and laser surgery (LAUP) has a low probability of curing sleep apnea and it is difficult to predict in advance if surgery may be effective. In selected patients with enlarged tonsils, surgery can be of value. Nasal surgery has limited benefits, but will usually not cure sleep apnea.

In 70% of cases oral appliances can effectively treat mild to moderate sleep apnea. It is not as effective in severe sleep apnea. It is difficult to predict in advance who will fail therapy. Tolerance wearing the device at night is variable.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) delivers a pressure to your airway via a mask worn on your face. This pressure is maintained throughout your breathing cycle.

Although CPAP will be effective in sleep apnea, in some situations there are newer technologies that will give you greater benefit. This should be discussed with your sleep physician.

CPAP therapy should never be stopped without consent from your sleep specialist. Travel of any sort does not qualify as a valid reason to stop or suspend your treatment. Your CPAP service provider can give you helpful tips and suggestions to make travel with CPAP simple and care-free.