{"id":1120,"date":"2026-09-30T16:03:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T20:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mwmcc.ca\/?page_id=1120"},"modified":"2026-10-02T15:09:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T19:09:11","slug":"obstructive-sleep-apnea","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mwmcc.ca\/fr\/obstructive-sleep-apnea\/","title":{"rendered":"Obstructive Sleep Apnea"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Obstructive Sleep Apnea<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleep apnea and weight are closely linked<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Excess weight is one of the main risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and most people who have it have never been diagnosed. Find out where to start, or add medical weight management to the care you already have.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n<\/path><\/circle><\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n

Think you might have sleep apnea?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Talk to our team about getting assessed. We can help arrange a referral to a sleep clinic we work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Start with an assessment<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\n\n\n

Already diagnosed?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

See how MWM\u2019s weight management care works alongside your sleep specialist\u2019s treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
See if you\u2019re a fit<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/path><\/svg> Care from Canadian physicians and registered dietitians<\/span><\/path><\/svg> Personalized, evidence-informed care<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Did you know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people have sleep apnea and don\u2019t know it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

About 1 in 4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canadian adults aged 45 to 85 are estimated to have moderate to severe OSA.1<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

More than 9 in 10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

people at high risk have never been diagnosed.1<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Your next step<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How MWM can help you get assessed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms alone cannot confirm sleep apnea. If you are an MWM patient, we can help you access an assessment through a sleep clinic we work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk to our team<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tell us about your symptoms and we\u2019ll explain your options.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get a referral<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If a sleep assessment is recommended, we can arrange a referral to a sleep clinic.*<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arrange your sleep study<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll be guided through available sleep testing options, including home and in-lab studies, and can choose the option that best suits your needs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

* MWM has a non-exclusive shared-care relationship with the Sleep Endoscopy Centre for Snoring and Sleep Apnea<\/a>. Patients are free to choose another sleep-care provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Not an MWM patient?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We are only able to arrange sleep clinic referrals for patients receiving care through MWM. If you are concerned about sleep apnea, speak with your primary care doctor about assessment and referral options.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
Speak to a team member<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

See common signs of OSA<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Where weight management fits in<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How weight and sleep apnea are connected<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Body fat around the neck and upper airway can make the airway more likely to narrow or close during sleep. That is why excess weight is one of the main risk factors for OSA. It isn\u2019t the only one, and not everyone with OSA lives with obesity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

10% weight loss<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In one long-term study, this was linked to about 26% fewer breathing pauses per hour of sleep.2<\/sup> Results vary from person to person.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Weight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Body fat around the neck and upper airway<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Airway<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More likely to narrow or close during sleep<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Breathing pauses and broken sleep<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Part of your plan, not a replacement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MWM provides medical treatment for obesity and dietitian-led behavioural support, working alongside the treatment your sleep specialist has prescribed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep using your prescribed treatment, including CPAP, and talk to your care team before making changes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Understand obstructive sleep apnea<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens during OSA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

With OSA, the upper airway repeatedly narrows or becomes blocked during sleep, interrupting breathing. Each pause can lower the oxygen in your blood and briefly wake your brain, often without you noticing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n