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This episode discusses from a social lens, some of the key ingredients of sleep apnea.  One thing that jumps out to other and maybe not the person for who it's happening, is that napping becomes a constant goal.  The other event which most are unaware that could be an indication of a larger sleep disorder is micro-sleeping or micro naps where a person is essentially asleep for seconds.  A third area discussed in this podcast is sleep debt and how that starts to develop as a result of unrefreshing sleep.  And the last area discussed is the excessive daytime sleepiness which tremendously impacts our leisure time activities, work performance, and relationships.

 We ask the listener to take each perspective in and consider for themselves how untreated or undertreated sleep apnea shows up in their lives.  It could be from the perspective of someone who suspects they may have sleep apnea.  Or a loved one (spouse/partner/family member) who has observed some signs of breathing irregularities at night which sound like choking or gasping.  Another perspective is that of a healthcare professional outside of sleep medicine who is treating a patient and they are seeking to elevate their knowledge of sleep apnea.

The structure of this podcast will address sleep apnea from a number of different lenses.  The first week looks through the social lens of how sleep apnea impacts lives.  In the second week, we will discuss how sleep apnea and related other medical illnesses show up.  In the third week, we will discuss sleep apnea through an emotional lens and examine how mental health issues are related.  And the final week, we will pick up on issues that range from awareness, signs/symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and finally adjustment.  

We are going to give adjustment a shout-out now because it is one of the most vital areas to discuss after awareness, signs/symptoms, and diagnosis.   We are using the term adjustment to replace the term compliance or adherence!  Adopting a treatment for sleep apnea is a tremendous lifestyle change and it can not be summed up with compliance/noncompliance or adherence/nonadherence.  

One of the goals of this entire podcast is to peel back the layers of sleep apnea and show the many dimensions that are impacted across a person's life.  Those dimensions come with their own complications, challenges, goals, and objectives.  What is needed most of all through the adjustment to treatment is support, information, and encouragement.

Today's episode breaks down some of the ingredients of sleep apnea and how it impacts a persons life from a social perspective

• Napping that interferes with sleep time
• Microsleeping that strains relationships hampers leisure, and work
• Sleep debt wears on a persons quality of life
• Untreated sleep apnea 

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This is episode zero for Sleep Apnea Pathfinders by your hosts Juanita Crawford, a sleep health professional and David Bishop, a sleep apnea patient.  Join us as we discuss this involved sleep disorder from two differing perspectives.   

There are many paths other patients and families are on when experiencing sleep apnea.  The many paths that make up our collective experience as patients and providers are made up of changes and successes and those that are in between.  Our podcast will give voice to the challenges and also learn from those who have been able to adjust.  The spouses, partners, and families are just as much a part of the experience as the patient.  We want to see what path they have been on while serving in a support role to their loved one.  

We also seek to connect with health professionals both in sleep profession.  Those in the sleep profession have experiences which are valuable to learn from.  And those medical professionals outside of the sleep profession, we hope to show those connections between sleep apnea and various medical conditions.  

Our podcast will take a more complete view of sleep apnea and discuss the various issues and challenges from four different perspectives.  The social perspective which encompasses relationships, work and leisure time.  The physical perspective that involves all of the co-related illnesses which have been shown to either have a cause and effect relationship or increase risk for those illnesses.  The emotional perspective that covers everything from the relationship to depression, anxiety, executive functioning deficits and more.  And, lastly we will cover the numerous issues which arise along the continuum of awareness, recognizing signs and symptoms, getting diagnosed,  starting treatment and adjusting to treatment.   

We invite patients, families, health care providers and sleep health professionals to let us know what pathway you are on and what your challenges and successes have been no matter how small or large.

You can connect with us at [email protected] and don't forget to subscribe to our weekly podcast.