Deputy Mayor Peter Chirico, Mark J. Mosley RRT, and Nipissing MPP Monique Smith officially open the North Bay Sleep Institute.
Like thousands of Canadians if you are having difficulty breathing or if you stop breathing when sleeping you are not alone, and North Bay’s newest sleep clinic may just be what the doctor orders.
Mark J. Mosley RRT, of the North Bay Sleep Institute says the lab has been providing diagnostic sleep studies to assist physicians in diagnosing and treating patients that may have sleep apnoea.
Mosley says loud excessive snoring, shortness of breath; intermittent pauses in your breathing during sleep, and continuous daytime drowsiness are all red flags of sleep apnoea.
A condition the Registered Respiratory Therapist says is on the rise in this country due to an ageing and obese population. Sleep apnoea is described as a disorder that is sees long pauses in breathing during sleep. Each pause in long enough where one or more breaths are missed, and is continues throughout a night’s sleep.
Mosley says in order to rule out if a medical diagnosis is necessary, people must first adopt good sleep hygiene.
Mosley describes good sleep hygiene as:
- Establishing a regular bedtime routine by going to bed and getting up at the same time each day
- Allow at least 1 hour to unwind before bedtime.
- Restricting sleep to just the bedroom.
- Avoiding large meals one hour before sleep. follow a healthy diet
- Daily exercise
- Avoid caffeine or alcohol at least one hour before bed
- Don't keep your clock visible so you don't focus on the time, which often keeps you awake.
- Avoid doing other activities while in bed. Try not to watch television or eat while in bed.
- Sleep on your side or stomach
Once the good sleep hygiene habits have been adopted and the person continues to demonstrate sleep apnoea symptoms they need consult their physician for a referral to the clinic. The clinic in turn runs an overnight sleep test called polysomnogram to diagnose if the patient has sleep apnoea.
Sleep apnoea is a potentially life-threatening condition and if left untreated can lead heart attacks, strokes, impotence, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Since opening the clinic, located at 1221 Algonquin Avenue, Suite 204, two new positions have been created for Respiratory Therapists in the community and are currently filled with two local graduates from Canadore College.
Mosley says the clinic was also successful to recently receive funding from the Ontario Government to take on an intern and expand operation of the clinic to four nights a week.
Complete details of the funding are contained in the news release below.
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The McGuinty government continues to build on the foundations for future prosperity in Nipissing by investing $20,800 in an internship at M.J Mosley Respiratory Therapy Professional Corporation, Nipissing MPP Monique Smith announced today at the official opening of their new North Bay Sleep Institute.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that young northerners have the opportunity to develop their skills and find jobs close to home,” said Smith. “By working together with our partners in the private sector, we are assisting employers expand their businesses and create more employment opportunities for our youth.”
The North Bay Sleep Institute will accept doctor referrals to test patients suspected of having sleep apnea. Patients spend the night in the lab attached to monitors that assess the level of sleep, heart rate, oxygen saturation, airflow, muscle movement (i.e. legs) and snoring. The clinic staff also see these patients again as follow-up for treatment and for consultation with the sleep physicians, if required.
“This is a great opportunity for our intern and the community. Since opening last year, the sleep lab has provided additional testing and consultations for sleep apnea in North Bay resulting in decreased wait times for patients. The additional resources provided by this internship will enhance the services at the sleep lab. I am pleased that the development of the lab has had such a positive impact.”
