An example video of the soft palate flopping back into the nose during mid-nasal exhalation. This can prevent CPAP or dental appliance use. It can also present as central apneas since there's no airflow through the nose and mouth, and no movement of the abdomen and chest.

Drug induced sleep endoscopy showing epiglottic obstruction with inhalation. Significantly improved with jaw thrust.

This is a short video of an endoscopic exam performed in the office. Initially, it's with the patient sitting up after topical nasal decongestion and anesthesia. You can see the right and left nasal anatomy, and the Mueller's maneuver in the middle of the video. Near the end, the patient is lying flat on her back, and you can see that the space behind the tongue base and epiglottis is much more narrow.

At the very end, I have the patient thrust her lower jaw forward, which pulls the tongue base forward significantly, allowing you to see the voice box more clearly. This is one maneuver I do to determine if a patient is potentially a good candidate for a mandibular advancement device. 

In this episode, my special guest is Dr. Felix Liao, who is a holistic dentist in Falls Church, Virginia, with a special focus on connecting the mouth with whole body health.

Dr. Liao is currently president of the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine, the editor of Biological Dentistry Journal. He is the author of the forthcoming book Six-Foot Tiger, Three-Foot Cage — a must read for anyone who has breathing and sleep problems.

In this 47 minute interview, Dr. Liao will reveal:

• The link between tongue tie and crooked teeth and lack of c-spine curvature
• Difference between mandibular advancement devices and bio-mimetic functional devices.
• How poor muscle use during swallowing can cause crooked teeth.
• How nasal congestion can cause a long and narrow face.
• How poor upper jaw development can lead to snoring
• How Buteyko breathing can complement dental options
• How to get bigger, fuller lips.
• Are oral appliances covered by insurance?
• What is a holistic mouth doctor, and how can you find one?

Buteyko Breathing

Dr. Michael Gelb and Dr. Howard Hindin's book, GASP!: Airway Health – The Hidden Path To Wellness

Dr. Melvin Moss. Functional Matrix Hypothesis. Review Articles: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

If you don't fit the typical profile of someone with obstructive sleep apnea (MOOSE: male, older, overweight, snoring, excessive sleepiness), most doctors won't ever think that you may have obstructive sleep apnea. I see dozens of of patients every month who are told they don't have sleep apnea but were found to have moderate to severe sleep apnea after undergoing sleep studies. So if you're not a MOOSE, what are some other ways to tell if you may have sleep apnea?

In this podcast episode, Kathy and I discuss 7 Unusual Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea.

1. Tongue Scalloping
2. Nocturia (nighttime urination)
3. Headaches
4. ADHD
5. PTSD
6. Sexual dysfunction
7. IBS or GI problems

Show Notes

The 1950s was once called the "age of anxiety." I think it's fair to say that the level of anxiety has risen exponentially since the 1950s. There are many reasons why you may be anxious, including information overload, social media, non-stop news, or even your children's activities. For many of you, In this episode, Kathy and I will reveal how sleep-breathing problems can cause or aggravate anxiety.

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Shownotes

In this interview, I interview Dr. Mark Burhenne, who is an integrative sleep medicine dentist, and author of The 8-hour Sleep Paradox: How We Are Sleeping Our Way to Fatigue, Disease and Unhappiness. He has a fantastic website, askthedentist.com, which is dedicated to helping people understand oral health and the mouth-body connection for overall wellness. He has been featured in numerous media outlets, including being a contributor to Yahoo! Health, CNN, and the Huffington Post.

In this 40 minute program, you'll learn:

• 7 Sleep Myths that are killing you
• The link between bruxism/TMJ and sleep apnea
• His many personal benefits of treating obstructive sleep apnea
• Dr. Burhenne's favorite dental appliance
• And the best appliance for TMJ.

Show Notes:

One of the most common questions I get asked is how do I stay so skinny. In this episode, Kathy will reveal the 10 ways I stay thin and healthy.

1. Exercise outdoors
2. Don't eat close to bedtime
3. Clear your nose
4. Get the right pillow
5. Cook your own meals
6. Avoid eating out
7. Regular life planning, goal setting and daily morning rituals
8. Try certain supplements
9. Avoid toxins
10. Sleep 7 to 8 hours

This is a special interview with a returning guest, Dr. A. Joseph Borelli. As you may recall, he was on our show with us in the past talking about brain dysfunction and sleep apnea. In this episode, we're going to about the Walking Dead: How Sleep-Deprived Zombies Are For Real.

In this 60 minute interview, we will cover the following:

• How sleep apnea damages autonomic nervous system centers in the brain
• Can brain damage from OSA be reversed?
• The connection between OSA and atrial fibrillation
• Can heart damage from sleep apnea be reversed?
• The difference between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS)
• Why UARS is harder to diagnose
• Newly discovered lymphatic system in the brain and implications
• How CPAP may cause intracranial hypertension
• And much, much more.

In this podcast episode, Kathy and I will talk about links between various gastrointestinal issues and obstructive sleep apnea. We cover the following 5 surprising conditions:

1. Irritable bowel syndrome
2. Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis)
3. Celiac disease (or gluten sensitivity)
4. Colon cancer
5. Acid reflux

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Shownotes:

Sleep Interrupted: A physician reveals the #1 reason why so many of us are sick and tired

IBS study

Gluten-free diet and celiac diease

Inflammatory bowel disorders and Celiac disease research study

Upper airway resistance syndrome

Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers

Blog post on GI problems and sleep apnea

OSA and cancer article

Vitamin D Podcast (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)

Pepsin in ears, sinuses and lungs

doctorstevenpark.com/gastro

iTunes link