Sleep apnea is common and can cause significant symptoms. But how can it be treated and how do you decide what treatment to use?  Historically treatment choices have been made based on the severity of sleep apnea. However, treatment can be more personalised by assessing airway anatomy and physiology. With the help of Prof Stuart Mackay and Dr Brad Edwards, we discuss the latest research and talk through how to treat sleep apnea.

Dr Moira Junge (Health Psychologist) and Dr David Cunnington (Sleep Physician) host the monthly podcast, Sleep Talk, talking all things sleep.

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Audio Timeline:

• 00:00 - 00:56  Introduction
• 00:56 - 08:48 What's news in sleep?
  • 00:56 - 07:15 Asleep on the Job report
  • 07:15 - 08:48 Sleep and Golden Door Health Retreat
• 08:48 - 43:50 Theme - How to treat sleep apnea?
  • 08:48 - 09:52 Background - Why treat obstructive sleep apnea?
  • 09:52 - 13:11 Background - What are the options?
    • 09:52 - 10:40 What doesn't work?
    • 10:40 - 14:22 Lifestyle factors
    • 14:22 - 17:15 Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
    • 17:15 - 19:30 Oral appliances
    • 19:30 - 22:53 Surgery - Prof Stuart Mackay
  • 22:53 - 24:07 Choosing sleep apnea treatment based on severity
  • 24:07 - 28:40 Assessing the anatomy to determine treatment - Prof Stuart Mackay
  • 28:40 - 41:03 - Using physiology to determine treatment - Dr Brad Edwards
  • 41:03 - 43:15 Incorporating personal preference in to treatment choices
  • 43:15 -  43:50 More information on how to treat sleep apnea
• 43:50 - 45:56 Pick of the month:
  • 43:50 - 45:56 David - Using architecture, design and materials to make a bedroom sanctuary
  • 45:56 - 47:48 Moira - Blue light and effect on sleep in athletes
• 47:48 - 49:49 What's coming up in sleep?

Next episode: Oct 2nd - Sleep in special needs children 

Links mentioned in the podcast:

• Asleep on the Job report
• REM sleep and dementia risk
• Golden Door Health Retreat
• Why treat sleep apnea? - podcast episode
• Mute snoring device
• Weight loss and sleep apnea
• Didgeridoo playing to treat sleep apnea
• Upper airway exercises for sleep apnea
• Positional therapy
• Night Shift device
• Oral appliances to treat sleep apnea
• Pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea - review article
• Using CPAP settings to measure airway collapsibility
• Using physiology to predict response to oral appliances
• Review of impacts of sedatives in sleep apnea by Amy Jordan
• Surgery for sleep apnea - an Australian trial
• Treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea
• Architecture and design to make a bedroom sanctuary
• Research on light exposure in athletes
• Sleep Down Under - Auckland 25-28th October 2017
• International Conference on Sleep Disorders - Jalandhar, India 27-29th October 2017