Ep. 2 Unlock the Secrets to Mastering Your Sleep Health: Be Your Own Champion in Navigating the Complex Healthcare Maze! In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the confounding obstacles that make it notoriously difficult to secure professional sleep help. We not only dissect the “why” but also arm you with actionable strategies, insider tips, and a step-by-step guide on how to break through these barriers. Plus, discover the surprising fact that even your doctor doesn’t sleep well either – a reminder that we’re all in this quest for better sleep together! Tune in to transform your sleep, and in turn, your life!
Tools:
Take our quiz to find out the first steps for resetting your sleep and who can best help you – www.thedoze.co (https://www.startwithsleep.com/takethequiz)
CPT Codes for Sleep Testing
Home Sleep Test – CPT 95806
Lab Sleep Test (Polysomnogram) – CPT 95810
Home Sleep Testing Options – www.thedoze.co (https://www.startwithsleep.com/home-sleep-test)
Resources:
Website: www.thedoze.co (%20www.thedoze.co)
Facebook: FREE Support Group Link (https://www.facebook.com/groups/STARTWITHSLEEPsupportgroup/)
Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine Directory:
https://www.behavioralsleep.org/index.php/directory/
Drowsy Driving Prevention Week:
References:
Improving sleep medicine education among health professions trainee
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8726372/#b1
Researchers at Loughborough University’s Sleep Research Center in England
https://www.thecut.com/2016/03/study-finds-women-need-more-sleep-than-men.html
Sleep Education and Training among Practicing Clinical Psychologists in the United States and Canada – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33336599/
Key Takeaways:
1. Lack of formal training in sleep medicine for healthcare professionals contributes to the difficulty in getting professional help for sleep problems.
2. The culture of sleep deprivation within the healthcare system affects the ability of healthcare professionals to empathize with and effectively treat sleep-related issues.
3. There is a reluctance within the healthcare field to embrace advancements in sleep practices, leading to a delay in adopting evidence-based treatments.
4. Misconceptions about sleep and who it affects can prevent individuals from seeking help for their sleep problems.
5. Individuals need to be their own sleep advocates and speak up about their sleep concerns when seeking medical help.
Chapters:
0:00:00-Introduction to the topic of sleep deprivation and seeking professional help
0:01:24-Lack of formal training in sleep medicine for healthcare professionals
0:03:20-Healthcare professionals often battle their own sleep deprivation issues
0:04:17-Reluctance within the healthcare field to embrace advancements in health practices
0:05:17-Misconceptions about sleep and who it affects
0:07:34-Sleep’s impact on health and the need for cultural change
0:10:06-Dangers of sleep deprivation, including drowsy driving
0:11:19-How to navigate the healthcare system and seek help for sleep issues
0:11:40-Sleep-related symptoms and health issues
0:12:05-Tips for finding the right help for sleep problems
0:13:18-Importance of seeking a sleep specialist
0:14:02-Different professionals who can assist with sleep issues
0:14:32-Benefits of sleep coaching and support
0:15:00-Advocacy for better sleep care
0:15:31-Consideration of sleep study for long-term sleeping pill users
0:16:52-Information on diagnostic sleep testing and options
0:17:14-Limitations of traditional sleep studies and CPAP therapy
0:18:05-Facebook support group and natural ways to improve sleep
Jazz cast Pros Dr Rafael B said it best your life is a reflection of how you sleep and how you sleep is a reflection of your Life hello my sleep inquisitive friends welcome back to the do podcast the short and sweet of what you need to know to transform your sleep I’m your host soda Kowski your trusted sleep coach and guide to help you optimize your day so you can take back your night today I
Want to shed some light on an issue that often goes unnoticed it has a major impact on why we have such a sleep deprived society and I want to unpack somewhat of a paradoxal issue it presents why is it so hard to get professional help for Sleep problems if
You’re someone struggling with your sleep and find it difficult to get adequate professional help you’re not alone today we’re going to uncover some of the Hidden barriers that contribute to the persistence and growth of sleep problems the Dirty Little Secret you’re your doctor doesn’t sleep well either
And it’s not just them but most healthc Care Professionals nurses EMTs the First Responders who we of course honor value and thank for their incredible sacrifices are often the most sleep deprived of us all due to their grueling schedules and high work demands but while they’re at the core of why we do
Not sleep well I want to emphasize that it’s not their fault the simple truth is that many Healthcare Providers do not know how to help with sleep issues because they are also affected by them and they haven’t been trained adequately the way they’re taught is built on a model of prolonged sleep deprivation
Lack of resources and worst of all a gap in knowledge of how important sleep is in the work they do and how they show up to serve in their roles but as we dive deeper into this topic let’s remember the challenges we face in seeking professional help for Sleep issues are
Often systemic and not the fault of those who dedicate their lives to caring for our health but it’s time to bring these issues to the Forefront and work together to find solutions that ensure everyone can have access to the support they need need for a good night’s sleep
So let’s jump right into this issue and how it’s created this ripple effect first and foremost the truth is that many Healthcare professionals have little to no formal training in sleep medicine it’s surprising but it’s a fact sleep medicine is often a neglected area in medical education which can leave
Even the most well-intentioned healthcare provider ill equipped to handle sleep related issues effectively I have seen this up and close as I started my career with an academic based sleep lab affiliated with a local University the amount of training nonsleep medicine healthc Care Professionals receive is astonishingly
Low on average it’s only about 3.25 hours and in Pediatrics instruction time is even less with a primary focus on safe sleep education not sleep disorders there’s a survey conducted by the journal of clinical sleep medicine that revealed that medical schools in 12 countries including the United States
Offer less than 2.5 hours of formal instruction on sleep medicine during medical school that means that sleep medicine is not a core educational requirement for many Prim primary Specialties including internal medicine and Family Medicine even less when addressing sleep Health which is a bidirectional relationship to a number
Of chronic diseases the training they do receive often perpetuates a culture of sleep deprivation and it becomes a vicious cycle that’s hard to break they’re taught to wear sleep deprivation like a badge of honor this should raise a red flag because those are the formative years of their education and
The consequences of sleep deprivation can have realtime impact on patient care and medical errors I speak to healthcare professionals every day just recently I had a conversation with a neurologist who shared her own struggles while working she felt she was deceiving her patience when she herself felt so tired
Some days she couldn’t even remember what day it was you know we rely on Healthcare Providers to guide us when we’re struggling with sleeplessness but in many cases they just don’t have the knowledge they need which is shocking because nothing has more of an influence on our ability to function well than
Lack of sleep which in long term can lead to sleep deprivation our medical system overworks medical students students and subjects them to long hours and expects them to perform at Peak Performance it models the exact opposite of what we need to create healthier communities and to lend empathy to those
Who need a sympathetic ear the most so why can’t your doctor often help you other than offering a prescription which if we’re being honest can only provide a short-term solution to a more complex problem the simple truth is they may not know any better and the reality is that
Many are frequently battling their own sleep deprivation issues and this can have a profound impact on their ability to truly empathize with recognize diagnose and effectively treat sleep related problems in their patients take our dedicated nurses for instance they’re often expected to stay awake for extended periods of time and to endure
The burden of sleep deprivation as if it were a badge of honor this takes a toll on their health robbing them of Precious Years and compromising their overall quality of life it’s a paradox isn’t it we turn to these Healthcare Professionals for advice yet they often find themselves far from the picture of
Health especially when it comes to to their own sleep the combination of long working hours irregular shifts and high stress environments creates a perfect storm that can profoundly impact their own sleep Health it’s a challenging issue that we need to acknowledge and address because the well-being of both healthc Care Professionals and their
Patients is at stake yet another concern is the reluctance within the healthcare field to embrace advancements in health practices it’s a challenge that impacts Patient Care on multiple levels the reluctance to change is a two-fold problem first while new research emerges every day shedding light on how our
Bodies function and how we can heal there often isn’t enough emphasis on preventative medicine we do have some remarkable functional medicine doctors who are passionately advocating for Change and challenging the status quo but unfortunately the shift only comes after they face personal health struggles themselves their reluctance to adopt these new advancements is
Understandable in some ways because what we know is constantly evolving there just isn’t enough time for many to continue their education it’s impossible for anyone to keep up with it all especially with the demands the Healthcare System puts on providers reimbursements are low but premiums and the cost of prescriptions continue to
Rise in many ways the sad reality is the cost of care also prevents people from getting the care that they need additionally contradictory research findings can Cloud the issue research results are often based on scientific subsets of individuals and can’t always be applied universally yet sometimes get circulated as mainstream facts creating
Confusion between fiction and fact I I get it we understand that the only thing that’s conclusive in research is that nothing is entirely conclusive however this shouldn’t lead to dismissiveness within the medical community there are always exceptions to the rule misinformation circulates because there’s so much contradiction but healthc Care Professionals shouldn’t be
Dismissive of new information which stops individuals from advocating for their own health or making them feel unheard or unseen you know I’m really lucky to have a provider that my family has gone to for years that is always open to new information she really listens and she never brushes off any
Concerns that I have I wish I could say the same for Specialists that I’ve seen in the past you know whether you’re an authority or not in a field it’s okay not to have the answers there’s a confuscious quote that comes to mind real knowledge is to know the extent of
One’s ignorance it’s okay to look into an issue and to get back to a patient once you’ve had time to research it further or to consult with another provider I know time is limited when you have office visits but that is just an argument for creating better intake
Forms and a better process and perhaps adding a sleep screening tool to all visits it could be the missing link you know I’m going to say it when you don’t get proper sleep it can trigger a Cascade of health issues that might result in medication use which can in
Turn lead to even more problems sleep has to be part of the conversation lastly let’s talk about how this lack of interconnected thinking gives rides to many misconceptions about sleep especially who it affects and how over my 17 years in this field I’ve witnessed the evolution of these misconceptions
Some some stem from open practices or what used to be what we followed in the early days we often use screening tools like the stop bang it even had a question focus on men only as a factor for sleep apnea but the truth is Sleep Disorders can affect anyone from
Children to adults there are also many disorders that are not as mainstream as insomnia narcolepsy or sleep apnea many can be a result of physiological factors like genetics and hormonal changes but the majority can be correlated with psychological and environmental factors too it all boils down to how we live eat
And move first your diet the processed foods that we consume can lead to nutritional deficiencies that can impact sleep patterns and quality second lifestyle factors things like air pollution air quality the products we use even the materials use in our furniture and our clothing can affect our breathing and internal health
Exposure can be a risk factor for Sleep disordered breathing and last our lack of self-care the mismanaging of our stress poor sleep affects mental health it can heighten stress levels and make existing anxiety worse it can exasperate symptoms of depression and contribute to mood disorders how well we sleep just
Doesn’t get the attention it deserves instead there’s a stigma attached to it for instance women who Express concerns about sleep or fatigue are often referred to get their thyroid checked or their symptoms may be attributed to Motherhood or a busy schedule however women often face a unique set of
Challenges that are multicomponent in nature including behavioral hormonal and sleep disorders the misconceptions that sleep disorders only affect middle-aged overweight men finally needs to be shattered they can affect anyone and the way they present can differ between men and women women often endure sleep issues for longer before seeking help
This may be because some research actually indicates that we have a higher threshold for sleep deprivation and that we also tend to need more sleep than men as we use more of our brains but you don’t have to believe me the link to the study is below but back on task we need
To make a real change there needs to be a cultural shift in how we View and prioritize our sleep the sleep is for the week hustle harder mentality simply doesn’t lead to a successful or a fulfilling life lack of sleep can Cloud judgment slow cant performance delay reaction times and impair memory after
Just one bad night of sleep prolonged sleep deprivation is even more alarming with data showing that staying awake for 18 hours is equivalent to having a blood alcohol content of 05 and being awake for 24 hours without sleep is equivalent to one of 0.10 and we know the legal limit for alcohol
Intoxication is 8 this means that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous if not more dangerous as driving under the influence the difference is is if you fall asleep behind the wheel there is no reaction because you are not just impaired you’re not awake I knew a doctor years ago who
Fell asleep while driving home late one night from a rotation at a hospital thank y she was unharmed but with over an estimated 100,000 crashes each year attributed to drowsy driving it’s an issue that should underscore the importance of prioritizing sleep in our daily lives this includes bringing it to
Health and wellness management programs in creating healthy Works spaces and including what is taught in our schools getting a good night’s sleep is critical for overall well-being however for far too many people it remains just a distant dream as we have discussed the Healthcare System might not always
Provide you the support you require so the question becomes soda what can I do about it how can you navigate it and find the right Solutions how do you know when it’s time to hit reset on your sleep whether on your own or whether it’s time to seek out additional help
There are some common questions that can help guide you first how often do you have trouble falling asleep especially if it takes you 40 minutes or longer how often do you wake up at night is it once or several times have you been told that you hold your breath at night while
Snowing oring are you heavily reliant on caffeine to manage energy throughout the day do you sleep for extended periods of time but are always tired even if you nap do you find yourself falling asleep during the day in meetings or as a passenger in a car do you feel tired and
Groggy despite getting enough sleep and do you have any pre-existing health issues the quality of your sleep can have a significant impact in improving the symptoms of existing health issues these are just some baseline questions that can lead you down the right path which leads me to our tips and tools of
The week number one ask the right questions that starts with what type of reset do you need not sure take our reset quiz it’s a starting point to help you get the answers you’re looking for like could your habits use a reboot or is there something medical that needs
Attention or evaluation find out what kind of help you may need and who is best suited to help you which leads me to our second tip speak to the right people the results of our quiz will provide you some insight into who can best help you do you need to consult
With a sleep doctor or get a sleep study should you speak with a sleep psychologist whose Focus are concerns pertaining more to Chronic insomnia nightmares or other behavioral sleep problems they are better suited to help you with these issues as social workers counselors and therapists do not receive
Formal training unless they pursue it are not trained to address them also clinical psychologists engage in active patient care have received minimal formal sleep training their treatment recommendations are also often not align with evidence-based standards this may result in a delay or absence of effective treatment there’s also an
Essential need to improve sleep competencies in these fields as well my recurring theme if you have a sleep problem seek out a sleep specialist while the number of providers can be limited in your area tella Health has made it possible to seek assistance remotely that being said I’ve provided
The link for the global directory for the Society of Behavioral sleep medicine below find a specialist who can help you with your particular concerns do you need a sleep dentist for issues pertaining to the airway or alternative therapies to traditional CPAP continuous positive airway pressure I know I have
Some CPAP dropouts out there there are other options depending on the type and severity of your sleep apnea but you should be using some form of therapy in an upcoming episode I will be discussing your options and providing you some links or perhaps you’re wondering if a sleep coach could be the solution
Someone who can offer ongoing guidance and support to help you cultivate healthier sleep practices tailor to your unique lifestyle after all not everyone’s home life is identical the absence of support is often a reason many individuals feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to even start there are
Some changes you can make to see immediate Improvement but if you struggle for years there is no quick fix and it takes time to unravel and rebuild a framework that supports you in your goals sleep coaching is a growing and emerging field that has real value in supporting people and helping them sleep
Better we are even starting to see many including sleep technologists move into this role which is going to really fill that Gap in terms of helping providers provide better patient care and as you may have guessed by now LPN RNs nurses that assistant offices have inconsistent and limited training to assist in the
Practice setting they need additional education on sleep health education and Sleep Disorders but that isn’t to discourage you from going to see your primary care doctor regarding your sleep issues but it’s crucial that if you do go that you speak up during your appointment don’t minimize your symptoms
Express your concerns clearly it’s a good idea to even jot things down while you’re experiencing them and bring those notes with you remember you have to be your own Advocate when it comes to your sleep your sleep is incredibly important and sometimes you have to take the lead
Because no one’s going to ask you how well you sleep stay informed voice your concerns and don’t settle for subpar care advocacy starts with you and for those of you who have been relying on sleeping pills for an extended period of time I know you don’t want to hear me
Say it but it’s time to consider a sleep study to evaluate your sleep and uncover any underlying issues that may exist don’t let your sleep problems continue to negatively affect your overall health there’s no waight and see when it comes to sleep it won’t magically improve without action if you find yourself off
Track you must make changes to see improvements Additionally the guidelines for prescription sleep aids such as ambient are meant for and labeled as short-term use if your doctor does recommend a sleep study there are a few things you should be aware of first diagnostic sleep testing is meant to
Detect medical Sleep Disorders take our quiz to see if you should get one and if you would qualify based on insurance guidelines a lot of practices still do not use or have outdated screening tools and you could be denied if not enough information is provided second know that
It can be expensive more so in a hospital setting as it’s considered inpatient care if you do go down that path of wanting a sleep study I would recommend an independent testing facility you can go online to your insurance provider to look up those in your network and for pricing information
Information under the episode today I have listed the CBT codes and names of the study to enter that are standard for submitting to insurance companies for payment and if they do also offer home sleep testing because in-lab testing can be very cumbersome and uncomfortable ask about autop pocket costs often your
Deductible might actually be higher than just paying for it out of pocket home sleam testing can also be a great option as it can be done in the comfort of your home and under normal sleep conditions lastly I would be remiss if I didn’t men mention that we just added sleep testing
Go to the does.co to learn more it’s a multi-night option which is one of the limitations of a traditional sleep study in lab you’re given a score on a scale of mild moderate Sever and pushed out to a gold standard treatment CPAP and then told to change lifestyle habits or lose
Weight without real guidance as to how to improve your Sleep Quality because sleep Labs often do not focus on sleep Health just specific Sleep Disorders getting diagnosed and on CPAP therapy alone will not do that which is why we have lots of CPAP dropouts again in upcoming do podcast lastly if you’re
Struggling I want to repeat you’re not alone we have a Facebook support group it’s completely free it’s a space where we offer additional perspectives and resources about how to sleep better it’s a non-judgmental forum to discuss your challenges with sleep with people who have walked the path before you but also
Has the oversight of a qualified sleep professional to steer you in the direction of the best tools and tips for your unique situation not just the next supplement or product to buy remember the best ways to improve our sleep all come from nature and they are
Free I hope that you have found value in our time together today and that I’ve provided you with some useful insight into how to be your own best sleep Advocate I believe it’s time we break the silence and stigmas around sleep and Healthcare and make getting help more accessible everyone deserves a good
Night sleep even your doctor until next time thank you for listening I’m back every Wednesday with a new episode ready to share my knowledge and Empower you to take control of your sleep if you’ve enjoyed what you heard please subscribe to the do podcast I still have lots to
Share with you as we work together towards creating Solutions around your unique sleep challenges and needs until then remember you are pure potential if you change how well you sleep
1 Comment
Insurance companies wouldn't even give better rates to medical personnel because their lack of sleep was impacting driving habits.