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Research Opportunity for CPAP Users ($375 Honorarium)

A research firm is seeking obstructive sleep apnea patients who are currently using CPAP therapy for a study in the New York area. Candidates must meet ONE of the following criteria:

• Recently diagnosed and have been on CPAP therapy between 2 weeks to 3 months
• Use CPAP therapy intermittently
• Have stopped using CPAP therapy within the last 3 months.

My Quote in More Magazine About Alcohol and Sleep

Look for my quote in More Magazine about the effects of alcohol on sleep (under #3).

Listen To My Interview About Snoring With Dr. Sosenko

Dr. Lydia Sosenko, a dentist specializing in sleep-breathing disorders in Illinois, interviews me for this 34 minute segment on snoring. You can listen to it or download it here. We talk about about the many dangers of snoring, how it’s a “dealbreaker” in many relationships, why sleep tests are very important, how common undiagnosed apnea really is, and much more!

Ask Dr. Park Teleseminar on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

In this Ask Dr. Park Teleseminar, I answer the following questions:

- I’ve had my CPAP machine for 5 years. Should I undergo another sleep study to see if anything has changed?

- Does palatal expansion work for people over 60?

- What do you think about Provent therapy?

- Is it possible to have a dental device lose its’ effectiveness without any weight gain?

- What’s your vision in the multidisciplinary approach to OSA treatment and comorbididies?

- Will restorative breathing correct OSA cases previously recommended for surgery?

- Can sleeping on your side be OK for sleep apnea?

- A recent Chinese study reported OSA in 27% of 5 to 12 year olds. In view of the obesity epidemic here in the US, is the incidence here in the US at least as high, if not higher?

- Should a person’s stuffy nose be addressed before OSA therapy?

- Does CPAP create “dependence,” so that surgical options later on may not work as well due to a weakened diaphragm  or other muscles for breathing?

- Your opinion on the new implants (Pillar and hypoglossal nerve stimulation)

- Does sleeping on a 45 degree incline help with obstructive sleep apnea?

- What can be done to reduce the number of “getups” each night?

- What percentage of OSA is due to tongue collapse (vs. soft palate)?

And much, much more.

Click here to purchase the 60 minute MP3 recording.

Early Puberty For Girls: A Sleep-Breathing Problem?

You may have seen reports about the epidemic of public hair and early breast development in 6 to 7 year old girls. A recent study published in Pediatrics revealed that by age 7, 10% of white girls, 23% of black girls, 15% of Hispanic girls, and 2% of Asian girls had started developing breasts. In this week’s New York Times Magazine, a writer profiles a young girl that developed pubic hair, tall stature, big feet, and a curvaceous body at age 6.

There’s a general consensus amongst pediatricians that early puberty is a growing problem and a number of factors are blamed. The obesity epidemic is thought to play a role, since excess fat is known to produce higher levels of endogenous estrogen. The most probable suspect is thought to be due to the presence of xenoestrogens, which are artificial chemicals in our food and water supply that has estrogen-like properties. The most well-known of these is bisphenol-A (BPA). Recently, the FDA rejected a motion by environmental groups to ban BPA, which is widely found in food containers. Most baby bottle manufacturers have voluntarily stopped using BPA in their products.

Xenoestrogens and other endocrine disruptors like PBA not only act to induce early puberty, but can also alter the optimal balance of reproductive hormones in a woman’s (and man’s) body. The idea have having too much estrogen (endogenous or exogenous) in your body has been coined estrogen dominance by Dr. John Lee. An important concept to emphasize is that too much estrogen (or estrogen-like molecules) can suppress progesterone, which can have significant detrimental effects on breathing, especially in post-pubertal women. Progesterone is an upper airway muscle stimulant, and increases tongue muscle tone. Post-menopausal women have lower levels of progesterone, and lower tongue muscle tone (genioglossus muscle), but when given progesterone, muscle tone increased significantly.

This is why many women sleep better when given hormone replacement therapy after menopause. In one study, the average apnea hypopnea index (AHI, or measure of obstructive sleep apnea severity) was over 50% lower in postmenopausal women taking hormones. I sometimes wonder if the incidence of sleep apnea in women shot up after women were advised to stop taking hormones many years ago due to increased cardiovascular risks. If more women have sleep apnea, then that in itself will significantly increase rates of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.

If these environmental effects are happening in adult women, think about what can occur in young children. There’s even suspicion that these chemicals can cause neuro-developmental delays in infants. If you already have a sleep-breathing problem, adding xenoestrogens can only make things worse. As far as I know, I’m not sure of any studies showing that xenoestrogens can cause sleep apnea, but it can be argued that anything that prevents proper facial growth and development can increase your risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea.

What do you think about this issue? Is it a real problem that’s not being addressed by the government, or is it an an overblown concern?

 

 

New Innovations in Sleep Apnea Therapy: Live Presentation at the Manhattan AWAKE Group

Please join me for a live presentation on the newest innovations in sleep apnea therapy. I’ll be talking about hypoglossal nerve stimulation, Provent, and functional dental appliances at the Manhattan AWAKE group meeting on Wednesday, April 2nd at 6:15 PM. It takes place at 134 West 26th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY.

Hotels That Promote Better Sleep

There’s been a trend in recent years by hotels to cater to people who have sleep problems during their stay. One hotel in particular is the Benjamin Hotel in New York City, which employes a sleep concierge. A New York Times journalist chronicled his odyssey of trying to get some shut eye over the course of the night. After reading the entire article, I’m not sure if the journalist actually got a better night’s sleep.

Sleep problems while traveling are a major source of sleep deprivation, from time zone changes to unfamiliar surrounding, and disrupted sleep routines. Having a sleep program such as what the Benjamin offers is a step in the right direction, but seems limited in what they can offer (different pillow selections, higher quality bed sheets, eye masks, etc.). It seems that a hotel guest is the perfect opportunity to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea, using some of the simpler screening tests that are available. They could also do a better job of emphasizing better sleep hygiene, such as not eating close to bedtime or not watching TV just before going to bed.

How well do you sleep when you travel?

The “Top 10 Influencers Of Online Sleep Discussion”

I’ve always taken ratings with a grain of salt, but after being recently alerted that Sharecare placed me on their list of the “Top 10 Influencers of Online Sleep Discussion,” I was happy to see that my message is being heard and read around the world. I’m honored to be amongst great company, including Dr. Michael Breus (The Sleep Doctor), Anahad O’Connor (New York Times health columnist), and various other prominent sleep physicians. I strongly recommend that you bookmark all these great sites for timely and important information for better sleep and health:

Ask Dr. Park: Women’s Sleep Issues

In this Ask Dr. Park teleseminar, I talk about common sleep problems that occur in women: insomnia, prementrual issues, pregnancy, and menopause.

Some of the questions I answer include:

- Why are women light sleepers?

- How is sleep different in women compared to men?

- How can I go back to sleep if I wake up in the middle of the night?

- Will estrogen supplements help with sleep?

- What’s the difference between bio-identical and synthetic hormones and how do they affect sleep?

- How does estrogen dominance cause sleep problems?

- What causes throat pain just before your periods?

- How can hypertension and diabetes be prevented during pregnancy?

- Which hormone is responsible for sleep problems during menopause?

- And much more….

 

Purchase MP3 recording ($17)

PDF of slides (free)

 

 

 

 

Expert Interview: Expert Help For Your CPAP Problems with Nicole Garrison of Philips Respironics

This month, I interview Ms. Nicole Garrison, Clinical Specialist for Philips Respironics, to answer your questions about your most common CPAP problems. She answers the following questions:

#1.  What can I do about skin irritation/breakdown on my nose/face?

#2. How can I stop the pressure leaks, & are there options for mask discomfort?

#3.  I feel like I cannot exhale against the pressure, what can I do?

#4. Do I have any options if I cannot tolerate the pressure during inhalation and exhalation?

#5.  Why am I waking up with my mask off next to me?

#6.  What can I do about dryness/dry mouth?

#7. What if I do not feel better, even with wearing CPAP every night?

And many more…

 

Topic: Expert Help For Your CPAP Problems with Nicole Garrison of Philips Respironics

 

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