Pacific Sleep Care - Nanaimo

Oral Appliance Therapy involves a device fitted to your teeth and worn in your mouth while you sleep, similar to an athlete's mouthguard. The most common type is a mandibular advancement device, which pushes the lower jaw forward to prevent the upper airway from collapsing. It is most suitable for patients with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or for those who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. Pacific Sleep Care's sleep dentist, Dr. Sharnell Muir DMD, provides fittings at all four Vancouver Island locations on a rotating monthly basis.

A Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT) is a diagnostic test carried out at the patient's home using a portable monitoring device. Pacific Sleep Care provides the device at no cost to the patient, following protocols established by the Canadian Sleep Society. After the test, a Registered Polysomnographic Technician scores the results, which are then reviewed and signed off by an independent qualified sleep physician before a diagnosis is issued.

Pacific Sleep Care follows a three-step approach. Step 1 (Awareness): Patients complete an online sleep apnea self-evaluation form to assess how common symptoms affect daily functioning. Step 2 (Testing): Those showing potential symptoms receive a portable home sleep monitor at no cost, and results are scored by a certified technician. Step 3 (Diagnosis): A clinician identifies whether the apnea is physical, neurological, or both and determines the most appropriate treatment — typically CPAP or Oral Appliance Therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.

Pacific Sleep Care supports three types of positive airway pressure devices: Fixed Pressure CPAP (delivers constant air pressure throughout the night), Auto CPAP (automatically adjusts airflow based on the patient's breathing needs throughout the night), and BiPAP machines (feature two pressure settings — higher pressure for inhalation and lower pressure for exhalation). The clinic also assists with machine warranty management, repairs, and temporary equipment exchanges.

Pacific Sleep Care diagnoses three types of sleep apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the upper airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) occurs when there is a lack of communication between the brain and the muscles controlling breathing, and is associated with conditions such as congestive heart failure or brainstem disorders. Complex (Mixed) Sleep Apnea combines characteristics of both neurological dysfunction and physical airway obstruction.

Pacific Sleep Care identifies the following common symptoms of sleep disordered breathing: loud snoring, stopping breathing during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, gasping or choking during sleep, morning headaches, depression, difficulty concentrating, fragmented sleep, memory problems, irritability, impotence, and elevated blood pressure. Untreated sleep apnea can contribute to serious health conditions including heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Yes. Pacific Sleep Care offers telemedicine and phone consultations for patients who are unable to attend one of its four in-person locations in Nanaimo, Campbell River, Courtenay, or Duncan. Telemedicine appointments are available for new sleep apnea patients, oral appliance therapy consultations, sleep apnea therapy reassessments, and home sleep apnea test arrangements.

Pacific Sleep Care operates four locations on Vancouver Island, British Columbia: Nanaimo at #3-5144 Metral Drive (250-585-6151), Campbell River at 277 Evergreen Road (250-914-5050), Courtenay at 1255B Cliffe Avenue (250-334-0789), and Duncan at #103-15 Canada Ave (250-597-8958). The general email is [email protected] and the toll-free number is 1-866-210-6585.

Pacific Sleep Care clinics are open Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a lunch break from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. The clinics are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Pacific Sleep Care's team includes Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT), Registered Polysomnographic Technicians (RPSGT), Licensed Practical Nurses with specialized sleep training, and dental sleep medicine specialists. The clinic's sleep dentist is Dr. Sharnell Muir DMD, a Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, who sees patients on a rotating monthly basis at each location. All diagnostic results are reviewed by independent qualified sleep physicians.

No — Pacific Sleep Care's treatments manage the symptoms of sleep apnea rather than curing the underlying condition. CPAP and oral appliance therapy are highly effective at controlling apnea episodes during sleep, but symptoms will return if therapy is discontinued. The clinic emphasizes ongoing management, including annual therapy reviews and patient education, as part of its long-term care model.