Sleep Health in Calgary

Difficulty falling asleep, waking often, waking earlier than intended, or feeling unable to return to sleep may be described as insomnia symptoms. A physician can ask about the pattern, duration and impact of these symptoms and consider possible contributing factors.

Loud snoring, gasping, choking or pauses in breathing noticed by another person can be associated with obstructive sleep apnea, although snoring alone does not confirm the condition. A clinical assessment can help determine whether further testing should be considered.

Feeling unusually sleepy during the day, waking without feeling rested, morning headaches, reduced concentration or falling asleep unintentionally are important symptoms to discuss. Tell the physician if sleepiness affects driving, work, school or other safety sensitive activities.

An uncomfortable urge to move the legs, repeated limb movements, or unusual movements and behaviours during sleep may require further assessment. The appropriate next step depends on the symptoms, health history and examination findings.

Work hours, caregiving, travel and changing routines can affect the body clock and sleep timing. A physician can review your schedule and discuss practical strategies or further assessment when needed.

Pain, mood concerns, breathing or nasal symptoms, hormonal changes, substance use, medications and other health conditions can affect sleep. The assessment looks at the whole picture rather than treating every sleep concern as the same problem.

Sleep health care starts with understanding what is happening at night and how it affects you during the day. Depending on your concern, the physician may review:

• your sleep pattern, bedtime routine and typical sleep duration
• when the concern began and how often it occurs
• snoring, gasping, breathing pauses or movements reported by a bed partner
• daytime sleepiness, fatigue, concentration, mood and daily function
• medical history, family history and previous sleep related testing
• prescription medications, non prescription products, supplements, alcohol, caffeine or other substances
• work schedule, stress, pain and other factors that may influence sleep
• relevant physical findings and whether additional assessment is needed

The details of an appointment vary by patient. A focused physical examination or an in person visit may be required. No particular diagnosis, test, prescription, referral or treatment outcome can be guaranteed.

A sleep study records information about sleep and may be used to investigate concerns such as possible sleep apnea. Some studies are completed at home with portable equipment, while others take place overnight in a sleep laboratory. The type of study, if any, depends on the clinical question and the requirements of the testing service.

Empathy Collaborative Health provides primary care sleep assessment. If a sleep study or specialist opinion may be appropriate, the physician can discuss the recommended next step and whether a referral is needed. Testing is not automatic, and access or eligibility may depend on clinical criteria and the receiving service.

After the assessment, next steps may include sleep education, changes to sleep routines, review of medications or contributing health concerns, monitoring, additional testing, follow up, or referral to another healthcare service. Recommendations depend on the likely cause, the severity of symptoms, other health needs and your preferences.

Do not stop or change a prescribed medication without speaking with the prescribing healthcare professional.

Write down your main sleep concern, when it started and how it affects your day. A one to two week sleep diary can help show patterns. Bring your Alberta health card and photo identification when available, along with a current list of medications, supplements and allergies. If a bed partner has noticed snoring, breathing pauses or unusual movements, their observations may also be useful.

The physician will ask about your sleep, health history, daily routine and relevant symptoms. Some questions may address mood, work, alcohol or other personal factors because these can affect sleep. A focused examination or measurements may be recommended. You can ask why a question or examination is relevant to your care.

The physician will explain the recommended next step. Ask whether you need follow up, how results will be communicated and what to do if symptoms change. A single appointment may not be enough to fully assess a complex or long standing sleep concern.

Some initial discussions and follow up visits may be suitable by phone or video. Learn more about Virtual Care. An in person visit may be needed for a physical examination, measurements, testing or a concern that cannot be assessed safely at a distance. The clinic or physician will determine the appropriate appointment format.

Empathy Collaborative Health is a community medical clinic in Douglasdale, serving patients in southeast Calgary and surrounding communities. Sleep concerns are assessed within family medicine, with attention to symptoms, health history, daily life and the need for coordinated care.

Dr. Olu Ogundeji is an active Alberta family physician whose clinic biography lists sleep health as a clinical interest. A clinical interest does not represent an additional regulated specialty. Physician schedules, services and new patient capacity can change, so contact the clinic before booking.

A sleep health assessment is a medical review of sleep symptoms, sleep patterns, health history, medications and the effect of sleep on daily life. It can help a physician decide whether education, monitoring, treatment of a contributing factor, testing, follow up or referral may be appropriate.

Yes. A family physician can assess many common sleep concerns, consider medical or lifestyle factors, and coordinate further testing or referral when clinically appropriate. Some complex sleep disorders require assessment by another service or specialist.

You can ask about ongoing difficulty falling or staying asleep, loud snoring, gasping or breathing pauses, unrefreshing sleep, daytime sleepiness, restless legs, unusual night time movements, shift work sleep concerns and other changes affecting sleep. The clinic will confirm whether your concern is within its current services.

No. Snoring is common and does not by itself confirm sleep apnea. Loud snoring combined with witnessed breathing pauses, gasping or significant daytime sleepiness may warrant medical assessment. A sleep study may be recommended when clinically appropriate.

The clinic’s confirmed service is primary care assessment of sleep concerns. On site sleep studies are not confirmed in the clinic’s public service information. If testing is recommended, the physician can explain the appropriate next step and whether a referral is required.

Some sleep consultations or follow up visits may be suitable for phone or video care. An in person assessment may be required for an examination, measurements or other clinical reasons. The clinic or physician will determine the appropriate format.

Eligible medically necessary physician services may be covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan for eligible patients. Coverage depends on the service and patient eligibility. Some forms, reports, third party services or other uninsured services may involve fees. Ask the clinic before your appointment.

Keep notes about your sleep schedule, symptoms and daytime effects. Bring your medication and supplement list, allergy information and relevant test results if requested. A short sleep diary and observations from a bed partner can also be helpful.

Tell a healthcare professional promptly if sleepiness is severe, causes unintentional sleep episodes, or affects driving or other safety sensitive work. Call 911 for a medical emergency.

Contact Empathy Collaborative Health and briefly describe the main reason for your visit. The clinic team can help identify an appropriate appointment type and confirm current availability.

Unit 104/106, 11420 27th Street SE, Calgary, Alberta T2Z 3R6
587-864-4152

An online submission is an appointment request, not a confirmed booking. For a medical emergency, call 911. For non-emergency health advice in Alberta, call Health Link at 811.