What is snoring?
Snoring is the disruptive noise produced by the vibration of upper airway soft tissues as they collapse under the influence of decreased muscle tone during sleep. In its milder forms it is a mere nuisance, however snoring can have a significant negative impact not only on quality of sleep, but on quality of life. Snoring can strain relationships with couples reporting lower marital satisfaction and decreased sexual intimacy. Even single people suffer from snoring during social outings, business travel, and vacations. In some cases, snoring can indicate the presence of significant medical condition known as obstructive sleep apnea. The goal of all snoring treatments is to prevent or reverse the conditions which lead to the vibration of the upper airway soft tissues.
What is sleep apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious medical condition characterized by loud snoring and repeated episodes where breathing momentarily stops. OSA occurs when the soft tissue in the throat completely collapses under the influence of decreasing muscle tone during sleep. During these periods of obstruction, the oxygen level in the blood can drop to dangerously low levels. OSA has short term consequences such as headaches and daytime fatigue as well as long term medical complications including increased risk of heart attack and stroke. People with OSA are also more likely to be involved in motor vehicle collisions.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed
The diagnosis of Sleep Apnea is made in a Sleep Lab. The Snoring Centre is associated with on of the country's largest and most comprehensive sleep laboratories. At the time of your initial visit to The Snoring Centre, you will be screened for the likelihood of having sleep apnea using a number of questionnaires and a home monitoring system known as the ApneaLink. If you are found to have a significant likelihood of having sleep apnea, arrangements can be made for a formal sleep lab study if you wish.
Is The Snoring Centre a Sleep Laboratory
No, the Snoring Centre is NOT a sleep laboratory but is associated with one of the most comprehensive and largest sleep laboratories in the country. The York Region Sleep Laboratory resides in the same building as The Snoring Centre, thereby expediting your treatment if need be.
What is the ApneaLink
ApneaLink is a simple, cost-effective sleep-screening tool designed to determine the extent of your snoring problem and rule out the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Unlike a traditional sleep study that requires that you spend a full night in a laboratory, the ApneaLink is a streamlined device that can be used in the comfort of your own home. The ApneaLink is a breakthrough that allows the physicians at The Snoring Centre to automatically analyze much of the information needed to determine if you have OSA without the need for a cumbersome and inconvenient night spent in a traditional sleep lab.
Is there a cost for ApneaLink
There is a no charge for the Apnea Link. This is meant to be a convenient method for determining if your snoring is a sign of a more significant medical problem such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Compare this with a traditional sleep study which requires that an entire night be spent attached to cumbersome monitors in a laboratory bed.
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