Did you know?

Bulldogs are the only other mammal to snore. They are a type of brachycephalic dog meaning they have been bred to have a short head. Their palate and uvula is often too long for their mouth and they may have to have it trimmed surgically to stop them from strangling in their sleep.
Don't Believe Me?  Watch the video...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKh_I6A_FEI&feature=related
 
"Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone.” Anthony Burgess
The Sleep MD is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. Treatment recommendations made in my clinic are individualized based on your history and your full examination including pharyngoscopy (where a small camera is placed through your nose to examine your airway when you snore). This allows me to identify where the problems arise and provide very high success rates.  

Call 435-8589 for a free assessment
Tell the receptionist you would like to be seen in the Snoring Clinic
 
Pillar Implant Procedure Print E-mail

CAll 435-8589 and ask for a free assessment in the Snoring Clinic

Find out if the Pillar Implant System is right for you

This procedure is now approved by Health Canada for snoring and mild sleep apnea. Although this is a new procedure to Canada, worldwide over 70,000 people have received pillar implants.  It involves a one-time insertion of three dacron implants into the soft palate done in the office under local anaesthesia.

The procedure takes about 20 minutes and normal activities may be resumed at once.  The post-operative pain and swelling is very mild and much better than any other snoring procedure.  Patients can go back to work immediately after the procedure.
 
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Print E-mail
A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is used for the treatment of sleep apnea at home. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway becomes narrow as the muscles relax naturally during sleep. This reduces oxygen in the blood and causes arousal from sleep. The CPAP machine stops this by delivering pressurized air via a hose to a nasal pillow, nose mask or full-face mask.  The airway is kept open by this air pressure provided the best known treatment for sleep apnea. This has the additional benefit of eliminating the extremely loud snoring that usually accompanies sleep apnea.
 
New Costs Print E-mail
MSI of Nova Scotia has no procedure code for the minimally invasive treatments of snoring and sleep apnea.  I have requested a code be created for these procedures.  Until codes are created, both procedure costs and the cost of disposables will have to be paid for by patients. 

Alternative treatments such as Uvulopalatoplasty and standard turbinate reduction done under general anaesthetic are covered under MSI.  These procedures are very effective as well but are limited by higher rates of complications, discomfort, and surgical wait time.


Dr. Rick Balys
 
Approach to Dizzyness Print E-mail
This is a Presentation for Family Physicians on Assessing the Patient with "Dizzyness"