What is SLEEP APNEA?

Getting to Know Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions of breathing during sleep. This can result in the brain, heart and the rest of the body not getting enough oxygen. You might have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and experience fatigue even after a full night of sleep.

The two types of sleep apnea are:

1 Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

This is caused by an obstruction in the upper airway. When throat muscles temporarily relax during sleep, the airway gets narrow or closes and breathing is interrupted.

2 Central Sleep Apnea

The airway is not obstructed. However, the brain fails to signal the lung muscles to breathe. This is different from obstructive sleep apnea where there is heightened inspiratory effort during apneic periods.

Signs and Symptoms Associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:

Loud snoring
Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath
Choking or gasping for air during sleep
Restless sleep or difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
Awakening with dry mouth or sore throat
Morning headaches
Nausea
Excessive day time sleepiness (even while at work or while driving)
Loss of memory
Difficulty concentrating at work
Mood swings or personality changes, such as irritability or depression
Sexual dysfunction
Frequent urination during the night
Obesity due to lack of energy

Untreated OSA Has Been Linked To

Heart failure and heart arrhythmias
High blood pressure
Stroke
Diabetes
Heart disease
Increased work related injuries and risk of motor vehicle accidents

Are you at risk?

Excessive Weight: more than 50% of the patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea are overweight. It is suggested that fat deposits around the upper airway may obstruct breathing.
Neck Size: obstructive sleep apnea is often seen in the patients with large neck sizes. A neck circumference greater than 17 inches increases the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
Hypertension: obstructive sleep apnea is commonly seen in patients with high blood pressure.
Anatomic Narrowing of Upper Airway: common causes of anatomic narrowing of the upper airway include excessive pharyngeal tissue, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, deviated nasal septum, laryngeal stenosis and vocal cord dysfunction.
Chronic Nasal Congestion: obstructive sleep apnea occurs twice as often in patients with chronic nasal congestions from any cause.
Diabetes: patients with diabetes are three times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea than healthy individuals.
Male Sex: men are twice as likely to have obstructive sleep apnea as women.
Age > 65 Years: obstructive sleep apnea is two to three times greater in people older than 65 years
Menopause: the risk of obstructive sleep apnea is greater after menopause
Family History of Sleep Apnea: individuals who have one or more family members who have obstructive sleep apnea are also at greater risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea
Alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers: depressive agents relax the muscles of the upper airway.
Smoking: smokers are almost three times more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea.

Jardins, T. D. (2010). Chapter 30 Sleep Apnea. In Clinical manifestations and assessment of respiratory disease: Pageburst retail. Place of publication not identified: Elsevier Mosby.

What To Do Next: Your Ontario Sleep Apnea Assessment

If the symptoms above sound familiar, loud snoring, gasping awake, morning headaches and all-day fatigue, the next step is simple: find out where you stand. Untreated sleep apnea doesn’t improve on its own, but it is one of the most treatable sleep conditions in Ontario.

Start by talking to your family doctor or nurse practitioner about your sleep. They can refer you for a sleep study, which is how sleep apnea is formally diagnosed. Once you have a diagnosis and a prescription, that’s where CPAP Central comes in. We handle the equipment, the fitting, and the funding paperwork so treatment is straightforward from day one.

Not sure whether your symptoms warrant a test yet? Our fitting team can talk you through what to expect and how the process works across Ontario. No diagnosis or prescription is required just to ask questions.

How Sleep Apnea Is Diagnosed in Ontario

Sleep apnea is diagnosed with a sleep study, and in Ontario you generally have two paths, both starting with a referral from your physician:

In-lab (clinic) sleep study. You spend a night at an accredited sleep clinic while technologists monitor your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep stages. When medically necessary and ordered by a physician, diagnostic sleep studies are covered under OHIP. This option gives the most detailed picture and is often used for more complex cases.

Home sleep apnea test. For many people with suspected obstructive sleep apnea, a physician may order a take-home test. You sleep in your own bed wearing a small monitoring device, then return it for analysis. It’s convenient and increasingly common.

Either way, the result is an AHI (apnea-hypopnea index) score that tells your doctor whether you have sleep apnea and how severe it is. If treatment is recommended, you’ll receive a prescription, and you can bring that prescription straight to any CPAP Central location.

We are not a diagnostic lab; we don’t perform sleep studies. What we do is everything that comes after the diagnosis: matching you to the right equipment, fitting it properly, and managing your coverage.

Treating Sleep Apnea With CPAP Therapy at CPAP Central

For most people diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy is the front-line treatment. A CPAP machine delivers a steady, gentle stream of air through a mask, keeping your airway open so you stop snoring, stop the pauses in breathing, and finally get uninterrupted sleep. Some patients are prescribed BiPAP instead, which uses two pressure settings.

The machine is only half the equation. A well-fitted mask is what makes therapy comfortable enough to stick with. That’s the difference an in-person clinic makes. At CPAP Central, our experienced CPAP specialists fit your mask in person across our four Ontario storefronts, so you can try different styles, sizes, and cushions before you commit. We carry full-face, nasal, and nasal-pillow masks, machines from the major manufacturers, and the ongoing supplies that keep therapy working: filters, tubing and cushions.

New to therapy or struggling with a mask you bought online? Bring it in. Our fitting team can check the fit, adjust your setup, and help you get comfortable so you actually use it every night.

ADP & Insurance Coverage: Pay Less for Your CPAP in Ontario

A CPAP machine is a real investment, but in Ontario you likely won’t pay full price. CPAP Central is a registered vendor for the Ontario Assistive Devices Program (ADP), which funds roughly 75% of the cost of an approved CPAP machine for eligible residents. We bill the ADP portion directly, so you pay your share and we handle the rest. No upfront full payment, no reimbursement paperwork on your end.

Eligibility criteria are set by ADP. Ask us or check the current ADP criteria. Our team walks you through the ADP application at the counter.

On top of ADP, many private and workplace insurance plans cover part or all of the remaining cost. Bring your plan details and we’ll help you understand what’s covered and how to submit.

Book a Consultation: 4 CPAP Clinics Across Ontario

Sleep apnea treatment is easier when there’s a real store, real staff, and real masks to try. Visit us Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Fittings are by appointment, so call your nearest clinic to book. All four stores also offer home visits if getting to us is difficult.

Serving Hamilton, Georgetown, Kanata (West Ottawa) and Whitchurch-Stouffville, and the communities around each.

Hamilton

754 Queenston Road, Unit 5A, Hamilton, ON L8G 1A4
Phone: (289) 389-1730
Fax: (289) 389-2096
Email: info@cpapcentralinc.ca
Near the Queenston Traffic Circle and Red Hill Valley Pkwy, minutes from the QEW and Eastgate Square. Serving Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas, Waterdown, Binbrook, Grimsby, Winona and Haldimand.

Georgetown

251 Guelph St, Unit 201, Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1
Phone: (905) 877-1991
Fax: (905) 873-6006
Email: georgetown@cpapcentralinc.ca
On Guelph St (Hwy 7) near Georgetown Marketplace, minutes from Georgetown GO. Serving Halton Hills, Acton, Norval, Glen Williams, Limehouse, Terra Cotta, Stewarttown, Milton and Erin.

Kanata (West Ottawa)

99 Kakulu Rd, #112, Kanata, ON K2L 3C8
Phone: (613) 595-0660
Fax: (613) 595-0110
Email: kanata@cpapcentralinc.ca
Off Hwy 417 (Eagleson exit) in the Kanata Centrum/Hazeldean corridor. Bilingual English/French service. Serving Kanata, Nepean, Stittsville, Barrhaven, Bells Corners, Carp, Almonte, Arnprior and Carleton Place.

Whitchurch-Stouffville

28 Sandiford Drive, Unit 207, Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON L4A 3V9
Phone: (905) 642-2222
Fax: (905) 642-3222
Email: stouffville@cpapcentralinc.ca
Off Hwy 48 near Hoover Park, minutes from Stouffville GO. Serving Markham, Uxbridge, Aurora, Newmarket, Ballantrae, Gormley, Goodwood and Vandorf.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Ontario: FAQ

Do I need a prescription to buy a CPAP machine in Ontario?

Yes. A CPAP machine requires a prescription following a diagnosed sleep study. It’s also required to access ADP funding. Once you have it, bring it to any CPAP Central location and we’ll take it from there.

How much does a CPAP machine cost in Ontario?

It varies by machine and features, but eligible Ontario residents receive roughly 75% funding through ADP, which we bill directly, so you pay only your portion. Private insurance may cover part of the rest. See our guide on CPAP machine cost in Canada for details.

What is SLEEP APNEA?

Getting to Know Sleep Apnea

1

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

2

Central Sleep Apnea