January Nurse's Round table with Dr. Randall Smith, D.M.D: Sleep Apnea - Medical Insights into Treatment and Health Risks

PowerLiving with Kimberlee Langford

Join the Specialty Care Managment Nursing team and special guest Dr. Randall Smith, D.M.D as we talk about an all- too- silent health destroyer.
From the heartache of his father's health struggles to his own diagnosis of sleep apnea, Dr. Smith unveils the gravity of this condition that, when left untreated, leads to serious health issues like hypertension, kidney disease and congestive heart failure. Our discussion lays bare the importance of quality sleep, not as a luxury, but as a cornerstone of bodily repair; and we confront the startling fact that 80% with sleep apnea are walking through life undiagnosed and untreated.

• "Untreated sleep apnea will take 7-10 years off your life"
• "Untreated moderate-to-severe sleep apnea will cost a patient upwards of $200,000 in other medical bills"
• 'Having untreated sleep apnea is worse than being a pack a day smoker'
• 30 million people in the US have sleep apnea and 80% of those people don't know it
• Risk factors include: Snoring, waking at night to urinate, waking with morning headaches, waking with gasping for air, daytime fatigue, and others....
• if your BMI is over 30 - your risk of sleep apnea is 70%
• Consequences of untreated sleep apnea include: hypertension, cardiomegaly (heart enlargement), CHF (Congestive Heart Failure), cognitive decline, and more...

The dentist's role in the fight against sleep apnea is not to be underestimated, and Dr. Smith spotlights this with expertise and passion. We touch on everything from the cellular restoration that occurs during sleep, to the clues that could indicate you're at risk and that you want to be sure to talk to your doctor about. In our conversation, he also addresses the high-stakes long-term health risks of leaving sleep apnea unchecked.
By bringing to light the barriers to diagnosis and the tools at our disposal, we're not just talking about sleep—we're discussing a potential pivot in the longevity and quality of our lives.
While the gold standard is polysomnography - in a sleep lab, Dr. Smith talks about the ease and the savings of the home sleep test. Your PCP can order your sleep test, or in some states, your dentist may be able facilitate that process of obtaining a prescription for your sleep study as well. He also walks us through the various treatments for sleep apnea including: positional therapy, CPAP, the potential game-changer of oral appliances, and the cutting-edge Inspire implant.
But the take-home message is this: in many cases, weight loss and lifestyle changes can be just as powerful. And early diagnosis and treatment can help you enjoy a health life.
YOU can absolutely do something about this threat. Talking to your health care provider about your risk and getting a sleep study are the first steps to help you take hold of your health and breathe easier—the restful nights you seek may just be on the horizon.
Great Books he shared today:
Matthew Walker: Why We Sleep
James Nestor: Breath
Dr. Bradley Bale and Amy Doneen: Beat the Heart Attack Gene