Sleep apnea and TMJ treatments in Ottawa, ON
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Comfort, Assurance, Freedom
Do you find yourself waking up tired, or maybe with a sore, dry throat? Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could be the culprit. Over five million Canadians are currently living with a sleep apnea diagnosis, but many more may be suffering.
In fact, a survey conducted by the Public Health Agency of Canada found that 26 percent of Canadian adults reported symptoms and risk factors associated with a high risk of OSA. However, only 3% of Canadians aged 18 or older were formally diagnosed.
Without a proper diagnosis, untreated sleep apnea can result in serious health complications, such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, and more. To get a better understanding of your condition, it’s important to undergo a polysomnography, also known as a sleep test.
If you believe that you or a loved one is suffering from OSA, contact Dr. Haissam Dahan at the Ottawa TMJ & Sleep Apnea Clinic to schedule a consultation. He’ll examine your condition, determine whether you need a sleep test, and answer any questions you may have. For your convenience, we offer a home sleep test, so you can get a diagnosis without having to step foot in a lab.
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Home Sleep Test
Unlike traditional in-lab sleep tests, Dr. Dahan can collect all of the same data through an at-home sleep test. This way, you’ll be able to monitor your condition in the comfort of your own home.
There are numerous benefits of a home sleep test, including:
- Comfort
- Convenience
- Cost-Effective
- Accuracy
After a walk-through of the process, Dr. Dahan will send you home with a small device that you’ll wear while you sleep. This device will monitor your sleep stages and cycles to identify if or when your sleep patterns are disrupted and why.
Evaluating the Results
Now that you’ve completed the home sleep test, the next step is to schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr. Dahan to review the results. Then, we’ll send the results to a qualified physician for a diagnosis and they’ll prescribe a treatment that’ll work best for you.
With a prescription in-hand, you can return to the Ottawa TMJ & Sleep Apnea Clinic to discuss the treatment process and take the necessary steps toward crafting your one-of-a-kind oral appliance.
Get the Sleep You Deserve
Sleep apnea is a severe disorder that requires immediate attention. If you or a loved one are experiencing any sleep apnea symptoms, please contact our office at your earliest convenience to schedule an appointment. Dr. Dahan will work alongside you to ensure that you get the diagnosis, treatment, and sleep that you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Home Sleep Test
What should I do on the day of my home sleep test?
Is a home sleep test uncomfortable or painful?
What if I wake up during the night of my home sleep test?
Is the technology used in MediByte the same as the technology used in laboratories?
How do I care for the MediByte system?
What should I do on the day of my home sleep test?
On the day of your home sleep test, you should:
- Try to follow your regular routine as much as possible
- Avoid napping
- Avoid using hair sprays or gels that can interfere with the sleep recording or shower prior to using the equipment
- Avoid caffeine after lunch
Following these recommendations will ensure we get enough data to analyze the results of your sleep study. Typically, three hours of continuous sleep is required for proper analysis. More than three hours of sleep will allow for more data to be collected and a more accurate analysis.
Is a home sleep test uncomfortable or painful?
A home sleep test is significantly more comfortable and convenient than a lab sleep study. The MediByte sensors consist of a belt to monitor breathing, a nasal cannula, and a pulse oximeter. These are the steps you’ll follow to set up the device:
- Place the belt right below your chest with the device in the center
- Adjust the straps so the device will stay in place while you sleep
- Connect the sensor cable to the bottom of the unit and insert the other two lines of the cable into the plugs located on the belt
- Be sure the green status light is blinking on the device
- Insert the nasal cannula and plug it into the device–turning it slightly clockwise and use tape to adhere the tube to either side of your cheeks for added support
- Clean the index finger of your dominant hand and remove any fingernail polish
- Push your finger all the way into the finger sensor and tape the cord of the sensor to your forearm
- Plug the port from the sensor into the port on the MediByte– be sure the red line on the connector lines up with the red lines on the MediByte unit
Here’s a video on how to set-up the device https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdJ3fx5TlYw
What if I wake up during the night of my home sleep test?
During your home sleep test, if you wake up in the middle of the night for any reason, such as to use the bathroom or get some water, leave the device on. It’s vital that you continue recording all night.
When you wake up after a night’s rest, that’s when you should turn off the device and place the equipment back into the case, with the exception of the nasal cannula which will be discarded. Return the Medibyte system according to the instructions you were given.
Is the technology used in MediByte the same as the technology used in laboratories?
Yes– Braebon, the manufacturer of MediByte, supplies to laboratories on five continents with the same technology and sensors that are in the home sleep test. MediByte records airflow, snoring, oxygen saturation, heart rate, body positions, and event markers.
If you have any questions we can answer about the home sleep test or the MediByte system, feel free to contact our office by calling (613) 454-1854, and one of our knowledgeable team members will be happy to get the answer for you.
How do I care for the MediByte system?
To avoid damaging the system, you’ll want to follow a few simple steps. These include:
- Keep the device away from flames
- Avoid submerging it in liquid
- Don’t shower with the MediByte device
- Be sure not to plug the device into a wall outlet
Following your home sleep test, you’ll want to follow the instructions on how to upload the data to the internet and package and return the system. Your physician will notify you once the data has been analyzed. If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, we can begin treatment right away.