The Sleep Forum Podcast

By Ruth Marion Len May, CEO of EndoCanna Health, understands the importance of healthy sleep for optimal mental and physical health.  May knows there is a connection between our days and nights.   In this podcast, May tells our listeners that the right cannabinoid will make all the difference in the the world and save you time and money.  Consumers seeking cannabinoid therapeutics will try, on average, 6 to 8 different products before they find one that meets their needs for quality, consistent outcomes and accessibility. "We created EndoCanna Health to answer one question: How do we help everyday people find a CBD or cannabinoid product that’s right for their unique needs, says May. Cannabis and CBD products often produce different effects for users - and, according to EndoCanna Health, this is down to our DNA. Each individual has a different endocannabinoid system, which metabolizes and reacts in a unique way.  Len May explains it all!  Please listen to this podcast to discover how choosing the perfect cannabinoid for your body has never been easier. About Len May:  Len May is the CEO & Co-Founder EndoCanna Health, a Bio-Science Technology company. Think of them as a 23 And Me for Cannabis. An accomplished public speaker, he is on a mission to educate about the healing powers of Cannabis. In this episode, we'll talk about Cannabis, DNA, how your genetics play a role in your Canna experience, and how to talk to your Boomer parents about trying Cannabis. As a Certified Medical Cannabis Specialist in Medicinal Genomics, Len has an in-depth knowledge of genomics, cannabinoids and terpenes, and their interaction with the Endocannabinoid system. This knowledge has allowed him to consult on the creation of Cannabinoid formulations designed to address specific health concerns. May has more than 25 years of Cannabis and genomics experience and holds a Masters of Medical Cannabis and a certificate in Endocannabinoid Formulation from the Institute for the Advancement of Integrative Medicine. His areas of expertise include the workings of the Endocannabinoid System and how genetic expression plays a role in human experiences. A pioneer in the Medical Cannabis industry, Len's work has been instrumental in shaping the current legislation and culture. He has held past positions as President of the Cannabis Action Network and Board Member and Lifetime Member of California Cannabis Association. He is the current chair of the CBDIA science board and is a stakeholder in some of the industry’s most iconic brands. Len is also a published author of “ Making Cannabis Personal” and hosts the popular “Everything Is Personal” podcast. About EndoCanna Health:. We’re a team of passionate, dedicated, and committed professionals. Many of us have been involved with cannabis therapeutics for more than 10 years – as researchers, scientists, and more.  Developed by a team of passionate, committed professionals, leading geneticists and cannabinoid researchers, our patent-pending DNA test and genetically aligned formulations create optimal cannabis and CBD experiences for your customers. Our DNA is the blueprint for precision cannabinoid therapeutics. EndoCanna Health’s revolutionary ECS DNA array uncovers genetic variations which can then be matched with specific cannabinoid ratios and terpene profiles.  Genetically aligned cannabinoid formulations can lead to better experiences and outcomes for you, your customers or your patients. For more information, please visit EndoCanna Health.

By Ruth Marion I just love this doctor.  If you want to hear an and educational and entertaining perspective on sleep, this podcast is for you! Dr. Christopher Winter is a sleep neurologist, best selling author, advisor to professional sports teams, speaker and podcaster. Dr. Winter, Board Certified in sleep medicine by both the American Board of Sleep Medicine and by the American Board of Internal Medicine has practiced sleep medicine and neurology in Charlottesville, Virginia since 2004, but has been involved with sleep medicine and sleep research since 1993. As the owner of Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine, CNSM Consulting and the Medical Director of the Martha Jefferson Hospital Sleep Medicine Center, Dr. Winter is not only an active participant in patient care, but a dynamic speaker and researcher on the science of sleep. A 2010 article in Trail Runner magazine described Winter as "the leading expert in the field of sleep disruption, in athletes and issues related to travel." Winter's debut book, The Sleep Solution: Why Your Sleep is Broken and How to Fix It, was released by Penguin Random House on April 4, 2017.   Winter's second publication, The Rested Child, was released on August 17, 2021. Dr. Winter tells the listener's about his life in the field of sleep since 1993.  He discusses how and why he entered the field of sleep, where the idea to write his books came from and what he is working on now. Dr. Winter talks about his series called "Sleeping Around with Dr. Chris Winter" that explores the unique world of sleep and how people of vastly different careers prioritize rest in order to live happier and healthier lives.  Dr. Winter joins professional rock climber, a touring musician and a group of firefighters, living a day in their life, and then sleeping the way they do to understand how sleep helps them achieve their best in life and work. With each episode, the series emphasizes how sleep health can be a priority within any lifestyle or daily structure. Dr. Winter continues to work with sports teams to help them achieve the best sleep for maximum performance and now has a podcast of his called "Sleep Unplugged", an unscripted discussion on a wide range of sleep topics - from sleep disorders to current research and controversies in the field. No topic is off limits!  His mission is to continue to spread the word about the importance of sleep, sleep research, education and treatments. To reach Dr. Chris Winter, please go to this link.  We hope you enjoy this podcast and most importantly, sleep well!

In this podcast, Dr. Carol Ripple, a developmental Psychologist and Chief Program Officer at Pajama Program, tells us that what really matters is “bringing what we’ve learned from research and evaluation into practice and into policy.”  It all boils down to “how we are enhancing the well-being of children and families.” Marion asks what motivates Dr. Ripple at Pajama Program.  Dr. Ripple says, “The Head Start model is something I learned about very early on in my training, and it’s so important to me because of the whole child approach.  What we know is that it is not just about school readiness but cognitive development as well.  It is understanding that all the systems that surround a child and family really need to be right and nurturing for that child to really be able to thrive.  And that is what drives me when I came to Pajama Program and still does today.” Marion asks Dr. Ripple to tell us about her bedtime routine and what it means to her. “Well, she continues.  I need 7 to 8 hours of sleep.  I do the usual bedtime brushing and washing and head to bed with the New York Times crossword puzzle.  That’s how I wind down at night.” So why is the bedtime routine and sleep education so important to Pajama Program? We know that sleep is as important as exercise and nutrition but this is true PARTICULARLY for growing children.  Dr. Ripple talks about how children need sleep to be able to thrive, grow physically and mentally, develop a strong immune system, maintain a healthy weight, just to name a few.  Sleep helps children regulate their emotions so they can have better relationships with those around them.  Sleep helps promote good memory so children can do well in school. Dr. Ripple talks about what happens if children do not get enough sleep and that is scary.   Without sleep it makes memory and learning harder.  There is a growing body of research that shows children who are not getting enough sleep have lower test scores in math, literacy and phonics.  There is also a much higher risk for anxiety and depression. We talked about the how important a nighttime routine is and how important it is for caregiver’s to instill this in their children.  It should be a comforting time for children and a time that signals to the child’s mind and their body that it is time for sleep.  It’s a great time to to make that connection with the child, whether it’s through a book, listening to music or another quiet activity. When asked about a common sleep myth often heard, Dr. Ripple replies “We encounter a lot of caregivers who believe that preschool kids, for example, need 8 hours to sleep, because that’s what we always hear.  In reality, younger children need more than that.  A child in preschool should get 10 to 13 hours of sleep every day.  Pajama Program and our sleep experts spend a lot of time combating that myth. Let’s hear more about Pajama Program, Marion says. Dr. Ripple replies, “Pajama Program began in 2001 in New York City and is a national nonprofit.  We reach children and families across the 50 states.  Our mission is to promote and support a comforting bedtime routine and healthy sleep for children to help them thrive.  We work with children and families who are experiencing adversity, whether it’s because of low income, or housing instability, or because a children is in the welfare or foster care system, those are the children we really seek to reach with Pajama Program, because sleep, for them, is the most challenged.” Pajama Program uses three approaches to help achieve this mission: First is sleep education for children and caregivers, stressing WHY sleep is so important.  We raise awareness around that and help with strategies for caregivers, in particular, but also to educators who are working with the parents and the children. Second is providing caring connections to children. We have Centers in New York City and Atlanta where we bring in volunteers to read with children,

"Prosomnus is North America's largest manufacturer of oral appliances", says Dr. Mark T. Murphy, Chief Dental Officer at Prosumnus.  In this podcast, Dr. Murphy explains to our listeners HOW an oral appliance can be an alternative treatment for sleep apnea. Most physicians will prescribe CPAP therapy but that does not always work.  For various reasons, studies have found that many people diagnosed with sleep apnea do not use their CPAP machine.  An oral appliance could be the answer. Listen to this podcast to hear more about ProSomnus, a pioneer in precision medical devices for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). IF YOU WANT TO MEET AND LEARN ABOUT ORAL APPLIANCES FOR OSA, CLICK HERE: ProSomnus is hosting a first, one of a kind symposium focused on the shift toward emerging therapies for people diagnosed with OSA. Leading sleep medicine clinicians will discuss their clinical, practical, and scientific perspectives on precision oral appliance therapy as an option for patients diagnosed with OSA who refuse or fail CPAP, cannot access CPAP due to the recall, or simply prefer alternative treatment. The two-day event will offer 12 continuing education credit hours and take place at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco from August 18-20, 2022. ProSomnus has organized over a dozen lectures and expert panels featuring leading clinicians and researchers from around the world, including: Prof. Dr. Olivier M. Vanderveken, MD, PhD. – ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, Antwerp University Hospital (Belgium) Dr. John E. Remmers, MD – A Renowned Clinician and Investor in the field of Sleep Medicine Dr. Phillip W. Neal II, DMD, ABGD – Co-author of the DoD/VA Clinical Practice Guideline on OSA, who as Chief Dental Surgeon, Operation Inherent Resolve was the first to provide Dental Sleep Medicine care to combat deployed US troops. Dr. Kent Smith, DDS, D.ABDSM, D.ASBA – Dentist, Founder of 21st Century Sleep, and Past-President of the American Sleep Breathing Academy Dr. Reza Radmand, DMD, FAAOM, D.ABDSM – Clinician, Lecturer + Researcher, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Prof. Dr. Marc Braem – University of Antwerp (Belgium) and Past-President of the European Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Dr. Aditi Desai, DMD, FAAOM, D.ABDSM – President of the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine (BSDSM) and British Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (BADSM) Dr. Mitchell Levine, DMD, D.ABDSM – Dentist and Professor, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Tennessee and Current President of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Dr. Michael Gelb, DDS, MS – Dentist, Author of the book GASP and co-founder of Foundation for Airway Health and the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry George Nierenberg, Award-Winning Director/Producer, Out of Breath Key sponsors of this inaugural event include 21st Century Sleep Seminars, Awaken2Sleep, Brady Billing, The Clinical Foundation of Orthopedics & Orthodontics, CharkEducation, Dental Sleep Profits, Dental Sleep Solutions (DS3), General Sleep, Kettenbach Dental, Nierman Practice Management, Pristine Medical Billing, SleepTest.com, and ZOLL Itamar Medical. Persons interested in attending can learn more and register here: ProSomnus is the first manufacturer of precision, mass-customized oral appliance therapy devices to treat OSA, which affects over 74 million Americans and is associated with serious comorbidities, including heart failure, stroke, hypertension, morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes. ProSomnus’s patented devices are a more comfortable and less invasive alternative to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, and lead to more effective and patient-preferred outcomes. With more than 150,000 patients treated, ProSomnus’s devices are the most prescribed oral appliance therapy in the U.S. To learn more, visit www.ProSomnus.com

By Ruth Marion In this podcast with Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, head sleep expert at Wesper, Rohrscheib begins by telling the audience that, "I comes from a neuroscience background with a heavy concentration in sleep.  I went from general sleep science to clinical sleep apnea, I've consulted to sleep technology companies and I've worked with corporations on fatigue management programs for their employees."  Rohrscheib holds a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science with Honours and a PhD in Neuroscience with a specialty in sleep genetics. She is a sleep consultant with over 10 years of experience in the field of sleep. "Wow, so you've been in every area of sleep science possible, says Marion.  Now, let's hear about Wesper". "I'll start by saying that Wesper is a home sleep testing company, a level 3 sleep diagnostic device, and a long term wellness device as well." With a level 3 sleep study, you use a sleep study kit at home that records your breathing activity, oxygen levels, and heart rate throughout the course of the night(s). Based on this activity, a level 3 sleep study tests your snoring and airflow and diagnoses if you have obstructive sleep apnea. Rohrscheib recommends that clients wear the device to get an accurate reading.  Some nights are better than others.  The more data the better the results.  We spoke about how Wesper also offers advice to their clients on improving their sleep hygiene or handling other sleep issues they might have.  It is an all inclusive sleep support system.  It has been proven that those patients who receive long term support are themes successful with the treatment of their sleep disorder, especially sleep apnea. Rohrscheib tells us that Wesper offers two pathways to patients.  If they want, they can start with their wellness device.  The Wesper wellness device will give a good indication if their is a problem and refer the person to the diagnostic test. Once the diagnostic test gathers enough data, a team of doctors will be able to accurately say what the person's breathing looks like and the diagnosis will be much more accurate. A meeting will be set up with Rohrscheib or another team physician to discuss the results of the test and recommend a treatment based on factors such as the severity of the breathing disorder and the patient's lifestyle choices. The important thing is to find a treatment that not only works but that a patient will use. After the treatment is prescribed, it is recommended that the at home sleep test is utilized often to make sure the treatment is working and the person is adhering to therapy. The patient has access to their own information each morning which helps keep them motivated and compliant to use the recommended treatment.  Physicians have more detailed information on the back end about the person's breathing to help guide them to prescribe the right therapy and monitor the patients progress. Last question for anyone who is thinking that Wesper is just another sleep tracker.  It is not.  Marion asks, "what makes Wesper different than your everyday sleep tracker"?  Rohrscheib says, "Wesper gives similar metrics but is so much more!  Wesper is FDA approved to diagnose sleep apnea at home." For more information, visit www.wesper.co We hope you enjoy this podcast.

By Ruth Marion "Dayzz is a cutting-edge, digital health start up located in Israel who provides end to end sleep care,” says Dr. Mairav Cohen-Zion, Chief Science Officer at Dayzz in this podcast. Dr. Cohen-Zion begins by telling our listeners about her impressive and extensive knowledge, education and experience in the field of sleep. As Chief Science Officer, Dr. Cohen-Zion is the person who is behind the research and design of Dayzz. Marion asks Dr. Cohen-Zion to tell our listeners what Dayzz can identify about your sleep and how it can help. She gives the listeners three key identifiers in the Dayzz platform. The app asks specific questions to identify any high risk sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or insomnia. The app connects with various data sources you might have to gather more accurate information. The app helps creates an appropriate sleep training program using CBT-I (cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia) or recommending a sleep doctor to seek additional treatment. Dr. Cohen-Zion tells the audience, "We identify four key issues in sleep...Insomnia, delayed sleep phase syndrome, high risk for sleep apnea, and insufficient sleep disorder.  The key is to identify the issues so they can take the next step and get the appropriate treatment.” For example, the app might identify insufficient sleep and reply with certain tips the person can try to fix the sleep problem. Dr. Cohen-Zion adds that “yes, Dayzz is a digital coach but Dayzz is so much more. We are a digital platform but also offer an additional feature which is a human coach." Human sleep coaches help motivate individuals and offer emotional and behavioral support that you cannot get from an app alone. The human element is very important to help people get the most out of the program and embrace it as best as they can. Dayzz is in English and the platform is currently being marketed to companies in the United States that are looking to offer a unique health benefit to their employees. With companies more aware of the correlation between quality of work and rested employees, this app is a game-changer for companies and corporations . We hope you enjoy this podcast.  For more information, please visit https://www.dayzz.com.

By Ruth Marion "Just like you, we've googled "sleep" in an effort to get an answer to our sleep problems, but so much of the information out there is vague and does not apply." says Teresa Denike, founder at Sleep Better NYC in this Sleep Forum Podcast. Denike is a board-certified clinical sleep educator, national speaker, and the founder of Sleep Better NYC.   Her expertise is in sleep apnea, sleep hygiene, and mindset for sleep and overall wellbeing.   After 14 years in healthcare sales and consulting, Teresa witnessed countless family, friends, and patients struggle through the typical pathways for sleep support. Sleep Better NYC was founded as a solution.  Sleep Better NYC provides coaching and care coordination.  They believe in a personalized, holistic approach to sleep and well-being which is why they created programs and content with a community of sleep experts. Denike tells the audience that the main mission of Sleep Better NYC is education and support.  Denike spends the time with sleep patients that the sleep doctors don't have.  Whether it be an oral device or a CPAP mask, Denike will work with the patient, monitor the patients compliance and also progress and interface with the sleep physician on patient's behalf. Sleep Better NYC is 100 percent virtual!  If a person comes to Sleep Better NYC before seeing a doctor, Sleep Better NYC can connect you with a doctor and a home sleep apnea test.  Marion asked Denike her thoughts on the home sleep tests.  "Technology is so advanced today that I would definitely recommend a home sleep test.  They are small, easy to use and accurate".  Denike also recommends an in lab test for someone with additional health concerns besides sleep or young children. Once diagnosed and given a prescription for a specific therapy, call Sleep Better NYC and they will answer any questions you might have, monitor your program and offer lifestyle tips to help improve your sleep. Marion asked Denike how they help individuals who come to them with insomnia.  Denike tells Marion how they offer an on line educational tool that individuals can use at their own pace.  The module uses the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and includes hyperlinks to sleep and behavioral health resources. "If an individual exhibits any red flags, we immediately refer them to a therapist or psychiatrist," says Denike. At the end of the podcast, we had a fun conversation about sleep trackers and consumer wearables.  "They are interesting and pretty accurate but in the clinical world we hesitate because it is not accurate enough, says Denike.  Denike believes that sleep trackers can improve sleep habits as long as it does not become obsessive or cause further anxiety.  Denike recommends checking it weekly rather than daily. To hear the podcast, please click the link below.  To reach Teresa or Sleep Better NYC, please go to www.sleepbetter.nyc or @sleepbetternyc on instagram.

By Ruth Marion "I met Karen Moore several conferences ago before Covid and she had a great story that stayed with me for years," say Ruth Marion, The Sleep Forum.  Karen Moore is owner and creator of Pad-A-Cheek, a padding that fits on your CPAP increasing comfort and decreasing the lines on your face in the morning. Marion asks Moore to tell her story to the audience.  "It all began when I woke up one day and noticed these terrible lines on my face from my CPAP," says Moore. "In spring 2004 I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.  I began my treatment and quickly realized it was hard to fall asleep with the new equipment. The mask was uncomfortable and the straps left marks on my face. It was challenging to keep air from blowing out the sides of the mask, or out of my mouth. I sorta slept that first night." What really bothered Moore was waking up in the morning and seeing marks from the headgear.  Moore decided to create her own solution and sewed flannel tubes that slid onto the CPAP mask.  She realized it was much more comfortable and she did not have lines on her face when she woke up.  She continued wearing the CPAP with the flannel covering for six months and learned to love the machine and the mask. What impressed me the most Moore's motivation to bring PAD-A-CHEEK products to as many CPAP users as possible, at a reasonable price.  As for customer care, it doesn't get much better than PAD-A-CHEEK.  Moore adds, "Should you have a question or concern, you can call directly and I will walk you through ordering the right product or answer any other questions you might have." To hear the rest of her story and all that PAD-A-CHEEK has to offer, please listen to our podcast.  If you are interested in purchasing the product, please go to www.padacheek.com

By Ruth Marion "I worked in the music industry doing sound for many years until one day, I experienced such a loud blast through the speaker that I literally hit the floor," says R. Scott Armbruster, founder and inventor for The Sound Pillow Sleep System.  He tells our listeners how the high pitched ringing in his ear never went away (since 1992) and that is Tinnitus.  According to the Mayo Clinic,  Tinnitus is when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears. The noise you hear when you have tinnitus isn't caused by an external sound, and other people usually can't hear it. “Armbruster, being a production industry expert, decided to look into ways to “distract” from his Tinnitus so he could sleep.”  He found a product that was sound in a pillow but needed much improvement, according to Armbruster.  He reinvented the product to be what he felt would be most effective to help someone with Tinnitus sleep better.  First, he improved the tracks that are available because everyone's brain reacts differently to different sounds.  Second, he wanted it to be user-friendly.  Third, he wanted it to be affordable for everyone. Armbruster spoke with Marion about the variations in sound and explaining that "white" noise is NOT the only option.  Red, pink and blue noise are also options that Ambruster offers in the Sound Pillow.  Ambruster spoke about non-emotional music and how it effects the brain and sleep.  You can hear a sample of the tracks at www.soundpillow.com. Armbruster touched on how Tittitus effects more people than we think, especially veterans.  He spoke about how beneficial his product was to one veteran who did not sleep through the night for years.  There is even the the American Tittitus Association.    Armbruster added that his product is even beneficial to children on the spectrum, anyone with anxiety, and more. Lastly, Ambruster is offering free shipping and a discount to anyone at:  WWW.SOUNDPILLOW.COM and use code LOVED at checkout. We hope you enjoy our podcast!

At SLEEP 2022 Conference in Charlotte, NC, Ruth Marion with The Sleep Forum, spoke with Laurent Martinot, CEO at Sun Rise to find out exactly what this tiny device on your chin will actually do. Martinot explained that Sun Rise will "detect and diagnose sleep apnea by measuring the movements caused by the contraction of the respiratory muscles."  This new technology is easy to use at home, non-invasive, disposable and cost effect.  However, most importantly, this device proves to be the highest level of accuracy. Martinot talks about the history and background of the company and how far it has come.  It is available throughout Europe and, soon to be available  in the United States as well. Please enjoy the podcast and visit https://www.hellosunrise.com for more information about this innovative new product.

At SLEEP 2022 in Charlotte, NC, Ruth Marion with The Sleep Forum sat down with Jordan Grace Miller, Marketing Director at Inspire, to learn more. Miller begins by telling our listeners what Inspire is.  "It's a small device, the size of a pacemaker, that is surgically implanted, in a same day procedure, to help those who are CPAP intolerant and have moderate to severe sleep apnea keep their airways open so they can sleep better."  She continues to explain the indications and also the procedure when implanting the device. As for success rate, Miller said "9 out of 10 patients love it and would do it again."  If you are interested in finding out more about Inspire and see if it is right for you, go to www.inspiresleep.com where you can find a provider that will help you navigate the procedure from start to finish. One of the best pieces of information that Miller gave Marion was the future of Inspire.  Inspire is looking to offer a bluetooth remote check in feature added so patients can download their data realtime to their physicians for a more patient-centric experience.  Plus, it as telemedicine is becoming more popular, this feature will fit right in. Lastly, Miller tells our listeners, "If you are interested in more information, please go to https://www.inspiresleep.com/testimonials/ to hear real people talking about their experience with Inspire and how it saved their lives.  This is my favorite page." There is also a section on the top of https://www.inspiresleep.com for patients or healthcare providers.  We hope you enjoy the podcast.

This podcast with Nancy Rothstein, The Sleep Ambassador® , is sponsored by Sparkle 2002 Clinical Trial “It all started with a snoring spouse,” says Rothstein. In this podcast, we learn how Rothstein started to see sleep deprivation as something much larger than an inconvenient lost night of sleep. “No one can sleep for you, but you,” says Rothstein, who stresses that sleep is not something that can be "outsourced." According to Rothstein, technology and societal pressures have worked against our natural necessity to sleep, and the results can be devastating. How we work or play, what we eat and drink, and when we use our electronics, all affect our sleep. We explore this issue, its consequences in lost work productivity and in loss of years in a lifetime to the individual. Rothstein discusses some simple strategies to re-align sleep such as changing work habits, social behaviors and diet. For more information and resources visit The Sleep Ambassador®

I am excited to welcome back Ed Harrold, breathing expert, for another podcast with The Sleep Forum. Today Ed and I will be talking Ed how nasal breathing can be used to help alleviate new fears and anxieties navigating the new normal. There are simple tools at our fingertips that can help us: • Reduce anxiety and elicit healthy thoughts • Improve digestive and immune function • Strengthen the vagus nerve which inhibits the “cytokine storm” associated with Covid-19 virus • Use our built-in ventilation system supporting the nostrils in filtering out over 20 billion viruses and bacteria daily For more information or to speak with Ed Harrold directly, please go to www.edharold.com.

"If you have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep for three out of seven nights each week for a period of three months, you are probably suffering from insomnia." says Dr. Russell Rosenberg, Chief Science Officer and CEO at NeuroTrials Research in Atlanta, GA. In this podcast, Rosenberg explains to the listeners that insomnia is more prevalent now than ever. "Covid-19 has definitely caused a spike in sleep disturbances in this country," says Rosenberg. He urges listeners to speak with (virtually if necessary) their primary care physician and discuss their sleep concerns. There are medications that can help. Marion asks Rosenberg to talk the pros and cons of a new medication that was just approved for use in the USA called Dayvigo or Lemborexant by Eisai. Rosenberg explains that "Dayvigo, a schedule IV controlled substance, is a dual orexin reception antagonist that works differently than other sleep medications because it blocks the orexin signals in the brain that are believed to play a role in wakefulness." He encourages healthcare providers to look at Dayvigo as an option for their patients. Rosenberg reminds listeners that there is the "potential for next day somnolence" and that driving ability was impaired in some subjects taking 10 mg dose. Rosenberg concludes the podcast with two comments: "Anyone with narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that results in daytime sleepiness, would be adversely affected by Dayvigo." If you are experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, speak with your primary physician and seek a sleep doctor. Second, "do not mix Dayvigo with alcohol as it could be dangerous and potentially life threatening." For more information, visit https://www.dayvigohcp.com/

Ed Harrold, Author, Speaker, Leader, Coach By Ruth Marion, Editor, The Sleep Forum In this podcast, Ed Harrold, Health and Performance Coach, discusses the role of proper breathing for optimal health, well being and sleep. Ed Harrold is author, motivational speaker, inspirational leader, coach and educator. Marion, Editor of the Sleep Forum says "he is one of the most fascinating people I have ever podcasted with." Harrold tells us how he has always had a passion to "be great" in whatever he set out to do and decided his purpose was to share that with others. He became a "breathing expert" and started his company GO BE GREAT that now supports healthcare, athletes and corporations. Harrold tells the listeners that he provides CE training to healthcare professionals on "the importance of mindful movement of the body to reduce stress and anxiety and produce peak performance." He works with corporations to keep employees "happy, healthy, loving joyful, creative, intuitive and working at performance in the mind while keeping the blood pressure down." Harrold also trains athletic teams and individuals so they can perform at peak levels and win medals but "it all revolves around controlling the breath." Harrold tells the listeners more about breathing and how it has a "dual switch". Breathing can occur naturally and without thought, of course. However, if you want to consciously focus on your breathing you can. And by controlling the length, depth and pace of your breathing you can tell your brain what is it you want to accomplish. By breathing thoughtfully, we access the mind so we can focus on what we want to occur at that moment in life. Harrold stresses the importance for humans "to stop the habitual shallow mouth breathing and hyperventilation we see in our culture. It robs our body of energy and leaves us weak." Harrold reminds us that we are all born nasal breathers and were given these nostrils for a reason. Nostrils are built in ventilators and that help prevent airborne pollutants, pollen, and viruses from entering the temple of the body. Breathing through the nose does more than filter particulars we don't want in our bodies. It also helps us work the largest muscle in the body - the diaphragm - which also help us keep our spine strong and erect. Harrold recommends starting the morning off with a few minutes of just nasal breathing. Remember the exhale should be longer than the inhale. Starting the morning out with controlled breathing and gratitude is so important as we plan to move through another amazing day. When it comes time to sleep, sit on the edge of the bed and inhale and hold for two counts and slowly begin to bring a parasympathetic response into the body. Use your mind to set in motion what you want to occur. We hope you enjoy the podcast. To get a copy of his book or for more information about Ed, please click here. Stay tuned for the next podcast The Sleep Forum will be doing with Ed Harrold.

To celebrate World Sleep Day, The Sleep Forum and World Sleep Society have come together to produce a podcast series about different aspects of sleep. In this podcast, Ruth Marion, Editor of The Sleep Forum and Allan O’Bryan, Executive Director of The Sleep Society speak with guest speaker, Dr. Mark Aloia, O’Bryan explains to our listeners that “world sleep society is a non-profit, membership based organization representing sleep researchers and clinicians around the world focusing on awareness and education. Our leadership is volunteers looking to promote sleep worldwide. We use World Sleep Day as opportunity for our membership reach out to the public and highlight the importance of sleep.” O'Bryan reminds our listeners that "World Sleep Day is designed to raise awareness of sleep as a human privilege that is often compromised by the habits of modern life." When asked how we can change our behavior so we can optimize our sleep time, Aloia responds "it comes down to importance and confidence. Importance only does not always do it." He compares sleep to diet and exercise. Although we know it is good for us, that is not always enough to make us do it. One of the challenges that Aloia talks about is how new the field of sleep is and how different it is from other human behaviors. For example with exercise and diet, we know the changes we need to make and we know that the results will be delayed. When it comes to sleep, we expect immediate results and we make assumptions. If we did something the night before and slept well, we assume it will work again. In the Philips survey results, which can be found at www.philips.com/worldsleepday, it talks about identifying factors that contribute to sleep problems. Of the 13,000 people surveyed, stress was a big contributor. Other factors leading to sleep problems was work hours and constant connectivity. Some people make their sleep even worse by trying to deal with the stress by using alcohol or electronics. Aloia talks about the products and services provided by Philips and how the new approach to sleep is consumer based. Aloia reminds listeners that Philips sold the first CPAP over 40 years ago and continues to create products to assist with solving sleep problems. "At Philips we have created an ecosystem that can deal with 80% of the problems people have with sleep but they cannot expect it to be immediate," Aloia says. First, we need to help people identify what their problem is. Many people monitor their sleep but don't fully understand what their problems are. Philips supports many clinically validated sleep solutions that they offer to the general consumer. At the National Jewish Foundation, Aloia conducts clinical research relative to sleep apnea and cpap use. Health psychology education does not work alone. You need to determine motivators and remind people of those motivators throughout the process. Aloia says, "If you are in the business of healthcare you are in the business of behavior change. We can develop the best treatments in the world but if they are not used they are not effective." Aloia talks about the five pillars that help create behavior change as "personal and meaningful, sense of urgency, need to build confidence with reachable goals, build a social support system and support someone's ability to make their own choice and take ownership." Three suggestions that Aloia has for better sleep hygiene for adults include: 1. Encourage people not to make decisions on how you slept based on one night. To really make a change, give it four to seven nights. 2. Check in with ourselves and give up caffeine. 3. Be aware of alcohol. It will fragment your sleep.

To celebrate World Sleep Day, The Sleep Forum and World Sleep Society have come together to produce a podcast series about different aspects of sleep. In this podcast, Doug Green, Publisher of The Sleep Forum and Allan O’Bryan, Executive Director of The Sleep Society speak with guest speaker, Dr. Charles Morin, professor of psychology and Director of the Sleep Research Center at Laval University in Quebec City. O’Bryan explains to our listeners that “world sleep society is a non-profit, membership based organization representing sleep researchers and clinicians around the world focusing on awareness and education. Our leadership is volunteers looking to promote sleep worldwide. We use World Sleep Day as opportunity for our membership reach out to the public and highlight the importance of sleep.” "Insomnia is the most prevalent of all sleep disorders with chronic insomnia affecting 10 percent of the adult population, says Morin. Insomnia occurs when a person has trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. However, comments Morin, "it is a 24 hour problem that impairs the persons daytime functioning and productivity. When it occurs a minimum of more than 3 nights a week and occurs for three months or more it is categorized as insomnia disorder." When asked about the short and long term consequences of chronic insomnia, Morin exclaimed, "many people trivialize insomnia but studies have show that chronic insomnia will affect both your mental and physical health." Morin spoke about an increase in disability or absence from work, depression, hypertension, cardiac disease and the list goes on. The first line of treatment for insomnia is cognitive behavior therpay (cbt). CBT specific to insomnia is a psychotherapy focused on sleep and problem solving. Morin speaks about how cbt works by changing poor sleep schedules and habits, targeting worries or beliefs and, many times, decreasing the amount of time people spend in bed. Other behavior changes Morin recommends is going to bed when you are sleepy and not earlier, getting up the same hour every morning and using the bedroom to sleep only. Morin briefly mentions that many different classes of medication and new agents are available by prescription and over the counter to treat insomnia, usually on a short term basis. The use of sleep medication every night for a prolonged period of time might create a tolerance and/or dependency. For chronic insomnia, cbt treatment is still the best choice. Although it will take longer to work, the long term benefits last long after therapy ends. O'Bryan mentions that World Sleep Day created a list called 10 Commandments of Sleep Hygiene for Adults and Morin added the following additional recommendations. "People need to also keep realistic sleep expectations - even the best sleepers in the world might not sleep every night. You should avoid stimulants and alcohol which will fragment your sleep. Lastly, it is not effective to work until the last minute and then go to sleep. You need to reserve a period to unwind before bedtime. Most important, you must apply and practice these strategies on a regular basis." Morin recommends that shift workers "go the extra mile to protect his/her sleep. Shift workers need to adapt their lifestyle and get home and to sleep before noon. They should plan for a short nap and have a sleep environment that is quiet and protected from outside noises. Also, for support, shift workers need to alert family and friends of their work situation." Morin ends the podcast by telling the listeners about the many studies he is working on to better help people with insomnia. He is looking at a combination of medications and CBT as a future treatment. For more information on clinical trials, go to www.clinicaltrials.gov

The Sleep Forum and World Sleep Society have come together to produce a podcast series about sleep as we countdown to World Sleep Day on March 13, 2010. In this podcast, Doug Green, Publisher of The Sleep Forum and Allan O’Bryan, Executive Director of The Sleep Society speak with guest speaker, Dr. Jeffrey Durmer, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Fusion Health which is now Nox Health. O’Bryan explains to our listeners that “world sleep society is a non-profit, membership based organization representing sleep researchers and clinicians around the world focusing on awareness and education. Our leadership is volunteers looking to promote sleep worldwide. We use World Sleep Day as opportunity for our membership reach out to the public and highlight the importance of sleep.” Durmer tells the listeners that Fusion Health is a company that was co-founded with a colleague from Iceland. He started his career by comparing the research they were doing in Iceland in sleep and restless leg syndrome (rls) to the United States and was especially interested in the devices they were using to diagnose it. He soon realized that the devices they were using in the labs could be used with patients at home. Fusion Health merged with Nox Medical and became Nox Health. They have spent the last decade "providing population sleep health programming to large companies, sports teams and organizations to identify sleep disorders and associated risk factors." Once identified, Nox Health provides telebased sleep medicine, treatment and follow up. This (sleep health) is a growing trend across big companies, says Durmer. Durmer describes how a power company down south used the Nox Health platform to help identify fatigue and sleep related problems among their employees and alert employees about the importance of sleep. "Not only does our platform identify and access risk factors for RLS, insomnia or apnea but also provides programs for mindfulness and meditation as a solution for some of those patients," says Durmer. The goal is to identify those with a sleep disorder or risk for a sleep disorder and allow them to receive medical care. Employers that invest in sleep health for their employees are realizing the return on investment with a decrease in accidents, heart disease and mental health. "The technologies we are using with these companies are the same as the hardware I first saw in Iceland together with a work flow platform that quickly identifies people in their environments where they sleep and work," says Durmer. He shares that the technologies being used are portable and will quickly detect a sleep disorder or risk for sleep disorder. The next step would involve a prescription and follow up via telemedicine. Durmer says, "the mission is to solve a problem before it becomes a bigger problem." When asked what he thought of sleep trackers, Durmer had mixed opinions. On one hand, some people are now suffering from insomnia because of the sleep trackers. On the other hand, some people are thinking their sleep is fine (and it is not) because of a sleep tracker. The main concern is connecting our wearables into systems that provide medical care means a whole different level of security. The platform that is transmitting personal health data needs to be secure. Durmer did mention the Oura ring as a wearable that many athletic teams use as a way share and monitor their sleep, especially across time zones or when traveling. Durmer talks about his work with the RLS Foundation as a Board member and the Georgia Association of Sleep Professionals. He was the first president of the Georgia Association of Sleep Professionals and has brought together many people in the sleep field to work together and advocate for sleep disorders, awareness, solutions and funding. One of the studies that Durmer is involved with is "sleep apnea and the risk for primary or secondary stroke.

The Sleep Forum and World Sleep Society have come together to produce TEN podcasts about sleep as we countdown to World Sleep Day on March 13, 2010. In this podcast, Doug Green, Publisher of The Sleep Forum and Allan O’Bryan, Executive Director of The Sleep Society talk with guest speaker Dr. Russell Rosenberg, director and CEO of NeuroTrials Research and the Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine and Technology. O’Bryan begins the podcast by explaining that “world sleep society is a non-profit, membership based organization representing sleep researchers and clinicians around the world focusing on awareness and education. We use World Sleep Day, one of our biggest events, as opportunity for our membership reach out to the public and highlight the importance of sleep.” O’Bryan reminds listeners that “World Sleep Day is designed to raise awareness of sleep as a human privilege that is often compromised by the habits of modern life.” When asked about his definition of quality sleep, Rosenberg replies that if "a person has had adequate sleep, they will wake up feeling refreshed and alert throughout the day. It is not normal to be sleepy during the day. In many cases, people just try to do too much in one day hoping there is something more than a 24 hour day." Of course, being sleepy during the day is not something that should be ignored. Rosenberg described the disorder, narcolepsy, as a neurological sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness. He describes narcolepsy type one, with cateplexy, where patients will feel a loss of muscle tone. Narcolepsy type one or two can be accompanied by symptoms including sleep paralysis, hallucinations and vivid dreams. Narcolepsy frequently emerges in second decade of life, in the teen years. Rosenberg recommends that if your teen is experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, contact a local sleep clinic or sleep specialist or start with your primary care physician. Rosenberg tells the listeners that Neurotrials "conducts research in a variety of areas that have to do with the brain." The purpose of the research is to develop new medicines and devices that can better help people with sleep disorders to live a normal life. Rosenberg was excited when sharing how new narcolepsy drugs are now being developed that target the neuron orexin, also known as hypocretin, that help a person function better during the day. He mentions the recently approved wake promoting drugs for narcolepsy, Sunosi and Wakix, and how he believes there will be others available for narcolepsy in the next five years. Rosenberg continued to talk about Lemborexant or Dayvigo, an orexin antagonist, one of the most recent FDA approved drugs for insomnia. Rosenberg reminds the listeners that clinical trials are totally voluntary and, in some cases, you might be compensated. He said for some it is a very rewarding experience and a chance to find out more about your disease. If you are interested in looking into a clinical trial, please go to www.clinicaltrials.gov. Rosenberg ends the conversation by commenting how he felt technology used to measure sleep outside the laboratory is the next forefront of sleep health and sleep medicine. "We already have devices that detect motion, heart rate, breathing and brain wave activity. It would be great to study patients in their home environment over the course a few weeks rather than in a laboratory."

The Sleep Forum and World Sleep Society have come together to produce TEN podcasts about sleep as we countdown to World Sleep Day on March 13, 2010. In this podcast, Ruth Marion, Editor of The Sleep Forum and Allan O’Bryan, Executive Director of The Sleep Society speak with guest speaker, Dr. Judith Owens, Director of Sleep Medicine, Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders, Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Boston. O’Bryan explains to our listeners that “world sleep society is a non-profit, membership based organization representing sleep researchers and clinicians around the world focusing on awareness and education. Our leadership is volunteers looking to promote sleep worldwide. We use World Sleep Day as opportunity for our membership reach out to the public and highlight the importance of sleep.” When asked by O'Bryan to discuss the most prevalent sleep disorders in children, Owens replied that sleep disorders in children "encompass a variety of potential problems such as breathing, insomnia, parasomnias, and insufficient sleep." She commented that sometimes an individual or whole family unit needs to change certain behaviors so that it can positively impact sleep. The most important thing is to make sure that kids get the recommended amount of sleep. Owens mentioned that the groups like the World Sleep Society and events like World Sleep Day are fantastic because it raises awareness for sleep health and sleep disorders for caregivers and health care providers as well. When asked why she felt sleep disorders in children has risen, she replies "anxiety levels in children and adolescents have increased for lots of reasons. Anxiety is a driver for insomnia – difficulty falling asleep or falling back to sleep.  The use of electronic devices we know quite clearly not only is stimulating to the brain but there is a biological piece – the blue light coming from the screen that inhibits the production of melatonin.  Owens talked about treatment and protocols for insomnia in adolescents. When teenagers go into puberty they also have a shift in their natural falling asleep and wake time. Most adolescents it is hard for them to fall asleep before 11 pm at night but their natural wake time also shifts.  One of the issues that comes into play is early school start time. Environmental factors like social networking, increasing homework, extra curricular activities and being over-scheduled makes sleep fall to the bottom of their priority list. Adolescents today are more sleep deprived than any other group we have seen in history and their consequences could be long term. Some recommendations by Owens included rearranging priorities so adolescents can get the sleep they need, taking a short strategic nap and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule on school days and non school days. Owens continued by talking about research that has proved the short term and long term consequences of sleep deprivation in adolescents. "We know there is a decline in executive functions which include decision making, planning, motivation, regulating emotions and problem solving.  Not getting enough sleep negatively impacts these executive functions." This is one of the reasons why car accidents are the number one cause of death in adolescents. Lack of impulse control leads to risky behaviors such as driving after drinking or while tired. Sleep deprived adolescents suffer from mood changes and depression which is also why suicide is the third highest cause of death among adolescents. In addition, poor academic function and obesity can be short term effects of sleep deprivation. Long term consequences will be cardiac disease, cognitive impairment, high blood pressure and other life threatening conditions. Owens reminds us to stay empowered and to bring up concerns about sleep at all ages to your health care providers. Health care providers are becoming more informed and reminded to ask these ...