Sleep Disorder Clinic

A sleep physician can effectively treat chronic fatigue, insomnia, sleep apnea and narcolepsy. A sleep study (polysomnogram) is a sophisticated, in-depth diagnostic tool to help you and your physician better understand the types and severity of your sleep challenges. The results will be used to develop an appropriate and effective sleep management program to address your conditions.

The study is conducted in a comfortable room and bed in the sleep lab, where you stay overnight and captures essential information about the characteristics of your sleep, including some or all of the following:

• Brain waves
• Eye movements
• Muscle tension
• Heartbeat
• Breathing patterns and effort
• Leg movements
• Blood oxygen level

Learn what to do to prepare for your overnight sleep study

The Sleep Disorders Program has a well-established research program into different aspects of sleep and sleep disorders funded by provincial and national agencies.  It is currently participating in various national Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) clinical trials. It is a key member of the recently announced CIHR Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Network (CSCN). 

In a recent independent review, VCH was ranked as the primary clinic in the world for its research work in some aspects of sleep-disordered breathing. 

Examples of research projects

• Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine Guideline on Preoperative Screening and Assessment of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Obstructive sleep apnea and frequency of occupational injury
• Development of a patient decision aid prototype for adults with obstructive sleep apnea
• Treatment of Central Sleep Apnea with Adaptive Servoventilation in Chronic Heart Failure
• Impact of work schedules on sleep duration of critical care nurses