Is Everyone in Calgary Exhausted?!

The entire Rebel Sleep Institute concept originated as a result of so many people being tired, with few resources available in the Calgary and Canadian market. Now that we’re open, it shouldn't come as a surprise that our interactions with “the tired” are climbing, but they are!

I’m hearing it everywhere, whether from neighbours, friends, family, the news, and even during the World Series. CPAP is now commonplace and “I’m so tired” has joined, “my wife says I apparently snore really loud”, as two commonly used phrases. This tongue in cheek image representing "sleep club", sent from a friend and now patient, illustrates just how many friends and family are undergoing sleep testing or are now users of CPAP.

So what can you do if you’re in Calgary, exhausted, and have increased feelings of frustration and hopelessness?

It is always recommended to start with a visit to your primary care physician. While some companies in Calgary (and across Canada) will facilitate sleep testing without a prescription, we do not recommend this approach. There are many possible reasons why you are tired and your physician should participate in any such investigation.

While not everyone who is tired has sleep apnea, when looking to identify the causes of your fatigue, it is necessary to either confirm or rule out obstructive sleep apnea. Considered a very common sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea can have considerable negative health consequences.

Those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea often snore loudly (but not always!), and have witnessed choking and gasping during sleep, most often observed by their bed partner. Additionally, those with this sleep disorder may have messy bed sheets, morning headaches, go to the bathroom frequently during the night, tend to be overweight, have a higher incidence of hypertension, and have unrefreshing sleep (among other).

If you're interested in determining your likelihood of having obstructive sleep apnea, you are encouraged to complete a simple online assessment tool, such as the stop-bang, found at stopbang.ca. If you suspect you may have this common disease, you may also reach out directly to Rebel Sleep Institute and we can help coordinate in-home sleep testing with your doctor. This simple test, utilized as the primary diagnostic tool for obstructive sleep apnea in Calgary, and in other parts of Canada, can be done in the comfort of your home.

In the past, if obstructive sleep apnea had been ruled out, or for those with a low probability of having the disease, your options have been limited. In Calgary, there are a few private sleep labs where you can be seen, however, you are often asked to sleep on-site at the facility at a cost of $800-$1000. While not everyone’s cup of tea, this overnight test is considered the gold standard and is a good option for some, particularly for those with a more complex medical history.

Alternatively, Rebel Sleep Institute has recently introduced a new service called the Comprehensive Sleep and Fatigue Evaluation. This program includes an intensive clinical and psychological evaluation, advanced in-home sleep testing, and sleep physician interpretation and recommendations. This is truly one of the most comprehensive assessments available anywhere in Canada and is ideal for the exhausted... but untreated.

If you would like to learn more about the sleep industry in Calgary or about Rebel Sleep Institute services, please contact us today.

Greg Stirrett, CEO
Rebel Sleep Institute, Inc.