Talking Sleep

Dr. Safia Khan, a women's sleep expert and editor for "A Clinical Casebook of Sleep Disorders in Women," shares fascinating insights into the unique sleep challenges women face throughout their lives. She discusses how pregnancy and menopause disrupt sleep patterns differently in women compared to men. Dr. Khan emphasizes the underdiagnosis of sleep disorders and the importance of tailored assessments and treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and the management of conditions like sleep apnea and PCOS. She also explores the critical role of iron deficiency screening in adolescent girls.

Dr. Atul Malhotra, lead investigator of the SURMOUNT-OSA trial, joins specialists Dr. Radhika Breaden, Dr. Jeremy McConnell, and Dr. Rafael Sepulveda Acosta to discuss the groundbreaking FDA approval of tirzepatide for obstructive sleep apnea. They delve into its effectiveness beyond weight loss, practical implementation strategies for clinics, and the importance of managing associated conditions like obesity. The team addresses concerns about GLP-1 medications and emphasizes collaboration between sleep and obesity medicine to provide comprehensive care for patients.

Dr. Sanja Jelic, a prominent sleep medicine expert at Columbia University, and Dr. Daniel Gottlieb, an Associate Professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital, dive deep into the potential inflammatory effects of high-pressure PAP therapy for sleep apnea. They tackle eye-opening findings on how PAP settings might influence inflammatory markers and challenge existing beliefs about CPAP efficacy. Plus, they explore innovative alternatives like supplemental oxygen and advocate for personalized treatment to enhance cardiovascular health and overall outcomes in sleep medicine.

In this episode, host Dr. Seema Khosla tackles a critical question in sleep medicine: What defines "well-treated" obstructive sleep apnea? Joined by Dr. Barry Krakow, a pioneering sleep medicine physician, the discussion explores the nuanced approach to assessing sleep apnea treatment beyond traditional metrics.  Discover insights into clinical endpoints for evaluating OSA treatment, the complex relationship between upper airway collapsibility and anxiety, and innovative strategies for patients with challenging sleep disorders. Dr. Krakow shares his unique perspectives on PAP therapy, including approaches for patients with PTSD and the potential role of behavioral interventions. 

Dr. William Noah, founder of Sleep Centers of Middle Tennessee and KPAP inventor, joins Dr. David White, former AASM president and sleep research expert. They dive into KPAP therapy, a revolutionary approach to sleep apnea treatment that enhances comfort and efficacy over traditional CPAP. The duo discusses the innovative engineering behind the VECOM device, research studies on CO2 rebreathing, and how real-time pressure adjustments can significantly improve patient experience. Their insights offer a promising glimpse into the future of sleep therapy.

In this episode, host Dr. Seema Khosla explores the new Apple Watch sleep apnea screening algorithm with Dr. Matt Bianchi, a research scientist from Apple's Health Technologies team. Learn about the innovative technology that monitors sleep patterns and potentially identifies sleep apnea risk through advanced wearable device capabilities.  Discover how this algorithm uses accelerometry and breathing disturbance detection to screen for potential sleep apnea, its limitations, and implications for patient care. The conversation delves into the algorithm's performance, its role in consumer health technology, and guidance for sleep medicine professionals navigating new diagnostic tools. Whether you're a clinician or interested in sleep health technology, this episode offers critical insights into the future of sleep disorder screening. 

In this episode, host Dr. Seema Khosla examines a crucial clinical question: how reliable is the residual AHI measured by PAP devices? Experts Dr. Robert Thomas, Dr. Tavi Ioachimescu,  and Dr. Imran Iftikhar analyze the accuracy of PAP downloads, brand differences in measurement, and implications for patient care. Through meta-analysis findings and clinical research, they explore stable versus unstable breathing patterns and how this data influences treatment decisions. The discussion covers device-specific algorithms, historical development of AHI measurement, and the role of patient monitoring software like OSCAR and SleepHQ. Learn about therapeutic approaches for unstable breathing, including medication options and practical management strategies for complex sleep apnea cases.

In this episode, host Dr. Seema Khosla welcomes Dr. Maya Schenker, a postdoctoral researcher from the University of Melbourne, who has dedicated her research to understanding the complex relationship between sleep and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With a focus on the bidirectional mechanisms linking sleep and trauma, Dr. Schenker explores how sleep can be a critical intervention point for managing and potentially preventing PTSD. Discover the latest insights into how sleep impacts trauma response, including the role of REM sleep, fear conditioning, and the neurological processes that contribute to PTSD development. The conversation delves into why women are more susceptible to PTSD, the potential of sleep interventions, and breakthrough research on preventing trauma-related sleep disorders. Whether you're a healthcare professional or interested in understanding the intricate connections between sleep and mental health, this episode offers valuable perspectives on trauma, sleep, and healing.

Dr. Danny J. Eckert, a leading sleep and respiratory physiologist and director at the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, discusses his groundbreaking work on OSA endotyping. He reveals that 70% of OSA patients suffer from non-anatomical causes, stressing the need for tailored treatment approaches. The chat covers innovative methodologies for assessing airway collapse and explores the significant impact of nasal obstruction on sleep quality. Eckert also highlights the potential of non-PAP treatments and new biomarkers for an improved understanding and management of obstructive sleep apnea.

In this episode of Talking Sleep, Drs. John Winkelman and Andy Berkowski discuss the updated AASM clinical practice guideline for the treatment of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder.