Deep into Sleep Ep183: Sleep Interrupted: Exploring Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome with Dr. Steven Park
Feb 22, 2024
Dr. Steven Y. Park, an ENT surgeon and expert in sleep medicine, dives into the intricate world of upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS). He explains how nasal health, including conditions like a deviated septum, can disrupt sleep. The conversation covers the impact of pregnancy and weight gain on sleep-related breathing issues, alongside a range of treatments from CPAP to lifestyle changes. Park also emphasizes the importance of patient advocacy in navigating health choices and the need for a proactive approach to sleep health.
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ENT's Broad Role In Sleep Breathing
- ENT surgeons treat the entire upper head and neck region beyond ears and tonsils.
- Sleep surgery spans the nose, palate, tongue, epiglottis and even jaw work to improve airway.
Faces Narrowing Drives Airway Problems
- Modern faces and jaws have narrowed over generations due to softer diets and utensils.
- Narrower jaws reduce airway space and increase sleep breathing problems, says Steven Y. Park.
UARS Fragmentation Harms Hormones
- Upper airway resistance (UARS) causes repeated flow limitations without meeting apnea thresholds.
- That sleep fragmentation raises stress hormones and harms cognition, mood, digestion and endocrine function.
