Why Treat Sleep Apnea?

Many people are seen to have snoring and periods of stopping breathing during sleep. This is sleep apnea and it's very common. But does everyone who has sleep apnea need treatment? Recent research suggests that treating sleep apnea doesn't reduce future cardiovascular risk, but does reduce symptoms of sleepiness and depression. With the help of Prof Doug McEvoy, we discuss the latest research and talk through why 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 - 02:59  Introduction
• 02:59 - 07:43 What's news in sleep?
  • 02:59 - 03:35 Workalert website
  • 03:35 - 04:45 Upcoming release of report on economic impact of sleep disorders
  • 04:45 - 08:36 Sleep in pre-industrial societies
• 08:36 - 29:50 Theme - Why treat sleep apnea?
  • 08:36 - 11:25 Background - What is obstructive sleep apnea?
  • 11:25 - 13:11 Background - Sleep apnea and cardiovascular risk
  • 13:11 - 22:00 Interview: Prof Doug McEvoy
    • Why was the SAVE study needed?
    • What did the SAVE study show?
    • Where to from here?
  • 22:00 - 29:23 Treating sleep apnea to reduce symptoms and accident risk
  • 29:23 -  29:50 More information on why to treat sleep apnea
• 29:50 - 30:43 Clinical tip of the month - Ask why treat? What are we hoping to achieve? How will this be measured?
• 30:43 - 34:00 Pick of the month:
  • 30:43 - 31:46 Moira - Podcast - Shrink Wrap radio - episode on sleep
  • 31:46 - 34:00 David - Book - Blitzed - Drug use in German soldiers in WWII
• 34:00 - 35:49 What's coming up in sleep?

Next episode: September 4th - Personalising sleep apnea treatment 

Links mentioned in the podcast:

• Workalert website
• Sleep Awareness Week
• Research on sleep in urban and rural communities in Mozambique
• What is sleep apnea?
• SAVE study
• Meta-Analysis on treating sleep apnea
• SAVE study post on SleepHub
• Why treat sleep apnea? - Respiratory Medicine Today
• Shrink Wrap Radio - podcast episode on sleep
• Blitzed - Book
• Blitzed - Interview on ABC radio
• World Sleep Congress - Prague 7-11th October 2017
• Sleep Down Under - Auckland 25-28th October 2017
• International Conference on Sleep Disorders - Jalandhar, India 27-29th October 2017

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