In this episode, Dr. Rachel welcomes Dr. Karen Davidson, a trailblazer in airway diagnostics and a disruptor in the world of nasal health. Dr. Karen takes us through her unconventional 34-year journey,from critical care flight nurse to patented inventor and airway educator,revealing how we've misunderstood nasal function for decades.

Together, they unravel the science behind nasal resistance, debunk myths about CPAP therapy, and dive into why nasal function,not volume determines breathing quality. Dr. Karen shares how she pioneered the Daphne Score and the concept of pseudo-UARS, offering a data-driven approach to understanding airflow, pressure, and airway compensation.

We also explore the systemic effects of nasal resistance,from heart rate variability in athletes to sleep-disordered breathing in children misdiagnosed with ADHD. With bold insights and a refreshing dose of cynicism, Dr. Karen challenges the current medical system and encourages collaboration across specialties to improve patient care.

Highlights:

• Dr. Karen's journey from nurse to airway innovator and educator
• Why nasal function, not just nasal breathing matters
• How nasal resistance affects posture, speech, sleep, and heart rate
• The creation and science behind the Daphne Score and airway AI
• Understanding pseudo-UARS and overexpansion risks in orthodontics
• CPAP intolerance and why it often fails due to undiagnosed nasal resistance
• The flawed "disease management" model in healthcare
• Why sleep doesn’t disorder breathing, breathing disorders sleep
• Nasal function as a key factor in ADHD misdiagnosis and childhood airway issues
• Functional diagnostics: From facial analysis to RhinoManometry
• The neurological connection between nasal resistance and tongue function
• The importance of individualized treatment based on nasal flow and pressure
• The emerging International Society of Airway Function Diagnostics & Therapeutics

About the Guest:

Dr. Karen Fields-Lever is a critical care flight nurse, airway diagnostics expert, and creator of the patented Daphne Score software used to analyze nasal resistance and flow. With over 8,000 cases of ENT experience, she brings a rare blend of clinical and industry insight to breathing science. A published author and educator, Dr. Karen has pioneered flow-based orthodontics, Maverick nasal exams, and teaches across multiple specialties, including dentistry, ENT, chiropractic, and physical therapy. She is the founder of the International Society of Airway Function Diagnostics and Therapeutics, and her mission is clear: redefine how we measure, interpret, and treat the airway.

Resources Mentioned

Website | karenparkerdavidson.com

Founder of |International Society of Airway Function, Diagnostics, & Therapeutics

Instagram | @_thenoseknows

Books MentioneD

Amazon Link