Research & Publications

Is It ADHD, Or Does Your Child Have Sleep Apnea?

Date Posted: Wednesday, May 7th, 2014 by Don Sesso

Not much is understood by parents about snoring or sleep apnea, especially in their children. The Stanford School of Medicine states that about 10% of children 10 years of age and younger snore and, of those children who snore, about 20% will have obstructive sleep apnea." (1)

Snoring can be a sign that your child has sleep apnea as it indicates, at the very least, that their airway is partially obstructed during sleep. Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can interrupt or stop...

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Is Snoring Ruining Your Sex Life?

Date Posted: Wednesday, April 30th, 2014 by Don Sesso

Are you sleeping in a different room because your partner is snoring? If you are, you’re not alone.  The New York Times  reports that  25% of couples  sleep in separate rooms due to snoring and, that by 2015, 60% of custom homes will be constructed with dual master bedrooms(1).  [P1] 

While partners of snorers reported better sleep when sleeping alone, the majority also stated that the arrangement had a negative impact on their relationship. 

When couples sleep apart, one of the...

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In-lab Sleep Study Not Working? Try A Home Sleep Study

Date Posted: Tuesday, April 29th, 2014 by Don Sesso

For the past month, our articles on snoring and sleep apnea have been featured in Philly.com's Health section. The latest article titled How snoring can cause weight gain prompted a question on sleep studies that we think applies to all people who think they have sleep apnea:

Went for a sleep study and because of all the wires and the smell of glue from the probes attached to my head couldn't sleep and left without results. I sincerely think that I do have sleep apnea and my PCP is...

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How Snoring May Cause Weight Gain

Date Posted: Monday, April 21st, 2014 by Don Sesso

As a sleep specialist, my patients often ask about the relationship between snoring and weight gain.  The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)  has  demonstrated that obesity is a risk factor for snoring and sleep apnea(1) and  that snoring may cause weight gain or the inability to lose weight(2).[P1] 

The relationship between snoring and weight gain is linked to alterations in our metabolism, increased appetite and decreased energy expenditure.  In other words, snoring...

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Snoring Can Kill You

Date Posted: Monday, April 14th, 2014 by Don Sesso

We all have that relative who falls asleep at parties and snores so loud it shakes the house.  We may joke about it, but snoring is no laughing matter. It could be a warning sign of sleep apnea. 

Snoring and sleep apnea are associated with serious health problems and can be life-threatening.  You may recall former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro defensive lineman Reggie White whose sudden and untimely death was blamed, in part, on complications associated with sleep apnea.  The frightening...

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Your Tongue Could Be the Cause of Snoring

Date Posted: Sunday, April 13th, 2014 by Don Sesso

Tongue based obstruction is a common finding in patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The tongue is composed of muscles and during sleep these muscles may relax and lose some of their tone. This can cause the tongue to collapse, fall backwards into the airway, and may obstruct the airway. This is why you may have noticed that snoring tends to be worse while you are lying on your back.

Most people are unaware that they have tongue based obstruction and failure to...

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Snoring Statistics 2013

Date Posted: Tuesday, March 11th, 2014 by Alan Berger

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For Sleep Apnea Patients, A Possible Alternative to CPAP Masks

Date Posted: Monday, March 10th, 2014 by Don Sesso

Researchers have found that a pacemaker-like device reduced the major symptoms of sleep apnea in nearly 70% of patients, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.  The STAR trial demonstrated that this new device may be an alternative to CPAP.  Dr. Sesso was one of the clinical investigators involved in this trial.

Read the entire article

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FAA To Check Pilots For Sleep Apnea

Date Posted: Sunday, March 9th, 2014 by Don Sesso

Sleepy pilots and air traffic controllers are under more scrutiny by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  One such recommendation is that overweight pilots be screened for sleep apnea.  Both true and near-miss plane crashes have been blamed on fatigued pilots.

The article goes on to say that all obese pilots and air traffic controllers will need to be screened by a sleep specialist and receive a medical certificate before they are allowed back to work. The problem is OSA or...

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Snore No More: A Different Apnea Treatment

Date Posted: Saturday, March 8th, 2014 by Don Sesso

Dr. Sesso, Director of the Pennsylvania Snoring and Sleep Institute, discusses a clinical trial aimed at offering a long-term surgical solution to sleep apnea.  The Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation device offers an implantable device to treat sleep apnea.

Dr. Donald Sesso is aiming to provide sleep apnea patients with options other than CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) and surgery. Dr. Sesso is researching Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) treatment that leverages...

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