Breathe Better, Sleep Better, Live Better Podcast
In this podcast, Kathy and I will discuss the 7 Myths About Nasal Surgery, & When to Do Surgery
  
1. Nasal trauma causes a deviated septum
2. Septoplasty will treat snoring or sleep apnea
3. Septoplasty will change my nose externally or have bruising
4. Will need packing inside the nose
5. Rhinoplasty - what it means, and what to watch out for
6. Does a deviated septum (or shrunken turbinates) come back after surgery?
7. Turbinate surgery causes empty nose syndrome.
And when to consider nasal surgery.
 
 
Please share this podcast with others that may benefit from this information.
Direct download: Podcast_15_-_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 4:29pm EDT

In this episode, I answer your questions that I get through my blog, email, and contact me page. This is completely live and unscripted. I have no ideal what Kathy will ask me.
 
1. How much do you charge for a office visit or procedure? 
2. How can I make an appointment to see you?
3. Various questions about specific medical issues.
4. What’s the difference between upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?
5. Will sleeping pills work for upper airway resistance syndrome?
6. Does sleep apnea cause brain damage? 
7. Are apneas more damaging on the brain than hypopneas?
8. What’s the relationship between depression and sleep apnea?
9. How do dental extractions affect sleep apnea?
10. Can nasal surgery cause sleep apnea later in life?
11. What’s the link between reflux and sleep apnea?
12. Can sleep apnea cause dizziness?
13. What questions should I be asking my doctor?
 
 
Podcast 13: Which surgeon do  you recommend?
Direct download: Podcast_14_-_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 9:57pm EDT

In this episode, I answer one of the most common questions I get, which is: "Can You refer me to a good sleep apnea surgeon in my area?"

Kathy and I will provide 4 questions you should be asking your surgeon, as well as 4 that you shouldn't. 

Show Notes

The Truth About Sleep Apnea Surgery free report

Sleep, Interrupted: A Physician Reveals the #1 Reason Why So Many Of Us Are Sick And Tired

 

Direct download: Podcast_13_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:38pm EDT

There comes a time when you have to say, "enough is enough." You've gone through 3 different masks, CPAP, APAP and 2 dental appliances. You also tried chin straps to keep your mouth closed along with your oral appliance and CPAP, all together. Some of you can't even keep CPAP on for more than one hour. And there are some of you that are able to use CPAP for 8 hours straight for 3 months and your machine is telling you that your AHI level is 0.1, but you still feel terrible. You've also tried every trouble shooting step mentioned on every sleep apnea support site. At a certain point, you have to consider the possibility of undergoing surgery.

Granted not everyone who struggles with CPAP has tried all this, but many of you have already gone through many, if not most of the above steps. Some people will be better candidates for surgery than others. 

In this podcast, Kathy and I will go over 7 good reasons why you may want to consider surgery for your obstructive sleep apnea. Here's a quick summary along with the resources and links mentioned in the podcast:

1. CPAP is not working
      Podcast on troubleshooting CPAP problems (Podcast #9)
2. Oral appliance is not helping
      Podcast #59 on oral appliances
3. You have a stuffy nose
      E-book on how to unstuffy your stuffy nose
4. You have large tonsils or adenoids
5. Previous surgery didn’t work
6. If you can’t breathe out through your nose or feel a flap close suddenly during inhalation
7. You’ve tried everything.
 
If you liked or found helpful what you heard on this podcast, please leave a review on iTunes. 
Direct download: Podcast_12_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 10:22pm EDT

In this podcast, I'll be talking about a very controversial subject: Which is better: Which is better? Kathy and I will cover  the following:

  1. My honest answer to which is better: CPAP or surgery
  2. Controversy about surgical success
  3. How the Provider Effect influences specialists’ preferences
  4. The problem with using the AHI to define surgical success
  5. Why conservative surgery can sometimes be detrimental to patients
  6. The problem with meta-analyses
  7. research study vs. real-world CPAP compliances rates
  8. How to overcome indecision due to too many options
  9. How to find the right surgeon.

Show Notes:

VA study comparing survival for CPAP vs. UPPP

Netherlands study about average AHI and CPAP usage

Carl Stepnowski interview (iTunes #19) MP3

American Sleep Apnea Association CPAP Assistance Program

SecondwindCPAP.com

How to find the right surgeon


If you found this podcast helpful, please go to iTunes to rate and review this program. This way, more people can find this information to help themselves and others.

Direct download: Podcast_11_-_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 11:21pm EDT

Frustrated CPAP users are constantly asking me what other options are available. There are literally dozens of over-the-counter, natural, prescription, and surgical options that are available. I've chosen 9 options that have proven results, based on published research in peer-reviewed medical journals. There may be other options that may work very well, but as of date, I'm not aware of any prospective studies showing significant improvement based on sleep studies as well as quality of life questionnaires.
 
Show Notes
 
1. Sleep positions: Slumberbump, Rematee Anti-snore Shirt
2. Past podcasts on the advantages and disadvantages of mandibular advancement devices.
3. Acupuncture interview (#52) with Amy Hausman. Research description.
4. Tongue exercises: Interviews with Joy Moeller (#33), Janet Bennet (#45). Meta-analysis article.
5. Provent article
6. Didgeridoo article
7. Throat and tongue surgery interview (mp3).
8. Jaw surgery interview (mp3)with Dr. Kasey Li
9. Tongue nerve stimulation 

If you found this podcast helpful, please go to iTunes to rate and review this program. This way, more people can find this information to help themselves and others.

Direct download: Podcast_10_-_Final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 9:38pm EDT

CPAP, although the "gold standard" form of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, has a number of common problems for many people. Join us for a discussion on the 7 most common problems you may have using CPAP (along with solutions).

Direct download: Podcast_9_final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:42pm EDT

If you tuned in to our last episode,  I talked about the 7 reasons why oral appliances may be a good option for those of you with obstructive sleep apnea, and in today’s episode, we’re going to talk about the 8 reason why you may not want to consider oral appliances for sleep apnea.

  1. It’s challenging to find a qualified dentist for every patient

  2. It can change your bite

  3. It’s much more expensive than CPAP

  4. It can be lost or damaged

  5. If you have severe sleep apnea

  6. If you're severely overweight

  7. If your nose is stuffy

  8. Sometimes, the tongue may not move forward with jaw movement.

Plus two more bonus reasons.

Links and references mentioned:

American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Interview with Dr. David Lawler iTunes link #55.

Unstuffy Your Stuffy Nose e-book

Sleep, Interrupted

 

Direct download: Podcast_8_Final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:26am EDT

Many people hate the idea of using a CPAP mask attached to a hose every night. Fortunately, a good alternative to this is a mandibular advancement devices (also called oral appliances)  come in various models, but they all have one thing in common: The lower jaw is pushed forward against the upper jaw, moving your tongue forward, opening up your airway.
 
In this podcast episode, I will go over the 7 reasons why I like using mandibular advancement devices to treat obstructive sleep apnea.  
 
1. No headgear or straps around your face.
2. It’s silent. CPAP 26 dB. 30 is a quiet whisper
3. It’s small and convenient
4. More dentists are available to make these devices, and are usually covered through most major insurances. 
5. Equal to CPAP for people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
6. An oral appliance can used as a CPAP mask holder
7. It can be used effectively for snoring and UARS, even if you don’t have obstructive sleep apnea.
 
Resources and links mentioned:
 

American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

Photo of hybrid oral appliance / CPAP nasal pillow

Unstuffy Your Stuffy Nose E-book

Breathe Better, Sleep Better, Live Better Podcast on iTunes (#54)

Direct download: Podcast_7_final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 11:12pm EDT

In this episode, My special guest is Dr. Mark Cruz, a dentist in private practice in Dana Point, CA, close to Laguna Beach. He has spent over 10 years educating dentists and doing research at UCLA and is now on the data safety monitoring board of the NIH's Institute for Craniofacial Research, the dental arm of the NIH. He has collaborated with many sleep luminaries including Dr. Christian Guilleminault, and Dr. David Gozal. Information about his dental airway mini-residency can be found here.

In this interview, we’ll discuss:
 
1. What’s the role of the dentist and dentistry as a profession in airway related health?
 
2. Is the airway wellness concept new for dentistry?
 
3. Who are the key team members that are needed for airway health? 
 
4. How can someone find an airway focused dentist or orthodontist in his or her community?
 
and so much more.

 

Direct download: Cruz.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:46am EDT

 

Join Dr. Park on this installment of his Expert Interview Series, where insomnia and sleep medicine expert, Dr. Gregg Jacobs, unveils his proven and effective methods for stopping insomnia, without the use of harmful and expensive medications.

 
Here’s what you’ll learn during this teleseminar:
 
  • The 10 most effective ways to beat insomnia without medications
  • The most common mistakes every insomnia sufferer makes and what you can do to avoid them
  • Why most doctors are uninformed when it comes to insomnia and what you can do to get the best treatment possible
  • Which sleeping pills, if any, are safe and which you must absolutely avoid taking
An Insomnia Specialist at the Sleep Disorders Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Dr. Gregg Jacobs is the leading authority on the treatment of insomnia.  His insights on insomnia and sleep are eye-opening and enlightening. During this 64 minute call, Dr. Jacobs answers your questions.
Direct download: Overcome_Insomnia_Without_Medications.mp3
Category:Ask Dr. Park -- posted at: 9:33pm EDT

This is part 3 and the final segment of my conversation with Dr. Stasha Gominck, a neurologist with some very insightful information about vitamin d and how it’s vitally related not only to sleep, but to every aspect of your health. As mentioned previously, vitamin d is actually a hormone that’s needed by every area of your body, including your brain. 
 
In this segment, Gominak is going to tell us:
 
  • How to optimize growth hormone release
  • The link between slow wave sleep and the B vitamins
  • How this b vitamin can help REM behavior disorder
  • How much Vit D is made in your skin by sunlight
  • Vitamin D’s anti-cancer properties
  • The importance of quality sleep and cancer prevention
 
For more information about Dr. Gominak, visit her Web site at
 

 

Direct download: Gominak_Part_3.m4a
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 11:38pm EDT

This is Part 2 of my interview with Dr. Stasha Gominak, a neurologist practicing in Tyler, Texas. Dr. Gominak has unique views on how Vitamin D can significantly affect the quality of your sleep, independent of obstructive sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome. In this intervew, she will reveal:

How B vitamins interact with Vitamin D
How B vitamins are related to fibromyalgia
The link between irritable bowel syndrome and headaches
How Vit D is linked with weight gain
What’s the right dose of B vitamins? And for how long?
Which vitamins are made in your gut?
 
Visit Dr. Gominak at http://drgominak.com
Direct download: Gominak_Part_2.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 10:23pm EDT

This is Part 1 of my interview with Dr. Stasha Gominak, a neurologist practicing in Tyler, Texas. Dr. Gominak has unique views on how Vitamin D can significantly affect the quality of your sleep, independent of obstructive sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome. In this intervew, she will reveal:

 

1. How Vitamin D is related to sleep
2. Why Vitamin D3 is better than D2
3. How Mice and Pigs Confused Doctors About Vitamin D
4. Why Sleep became much worse in the 1980s
5. How much Vitamin D do we need?
 
Visit Dr. Gominak at http://drgominak.com
 
Direct download: Gominak_Part_1.m4a
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 12:11pm EDT

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