Sleep Apnea Stories
Emma Cooksey
Sleep Apnea Stories is a podcast featuring guests who are coping with sleep apnea and the medical experts who treat them. The goal of the podcast is to shatter stereotypes around sleep apnea. We also want to build a community of people coping with Sleep Apnea to provide inspiration and hope to listeners. Do you have Sleep Apnea? Would you be willing to share your story with our community? If so, I'd love to hear from you! Email: [email protected] Photo credit: Kate Gardiner www.instagram.com/kategardiner CPAP Mask credit: ResMed Airfit f30i www.resmed.com Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/emma-cooksey/support
- 8 minutes 16 secondsNew Medications for Sleep Apnea, Project Sleep YouTube Live - Trailer
Emma's giving a shorty summer update to let all her podcast listeners know about a YouTube Live session she is hosting on "New Medications for Sleep Apnea" on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 2 p.m. ET on Project Sleep's YouTube channel. Tune in live, set a reminder, or watch the replay here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/s8oEXL30taE
Find the Sleep Apnea Squad program here:
https://project-sleep.com/sleep-apnea-squad/
Find the YouTube lives, podcasts, and PDF toolkits by clicking "learn more" under each topic graphic.
Learn about "Sleep Apnea: Let's Face It!" here:
https://project-sleep.com/sleep-apnea-lets-face-it/
Order a t-shirt to support the campaign here:
https://www.bonfire.com/sleep-apnea-lets-face-it/
Contact Emma:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepapneastories/
and https://www.instagram.com/project_sleep/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emma-cooksey-sleep-apnea
13 July 2025, 5:33 pm - 7 minutes 11 secondsMaking CPAP Comfortable
Emma gives an update on her upcoming Sleep Apnea Squad session on "Making CPAP Comfortable."
Sign up for email about all of Emma's sleep apnea resources she is developing at Project Sleep, click here:
https://projectsleep.salsalabs.org/sleepapneasquad/index.html
Read more about it here:
https://project-sleep.com/sleep-apnea-squad-making-cpap-comfortable/
To set a reminder or join live at 2 pm ET on Tuesday 11th February, click here:
9 February 2025, 5:38 pm - 7 minutes 28 secondsSleep Apnea Treatment Options
In this shortie episode, Emma checks in to share details of a YouTube Live discussion she is hosting on Tuesday, December 10th at 2 pm ET. Find all the details here:
https://project-sleep.com/sleep-apnea-treatment-options/
Click this link to join us live at 2pm ET on December 10th: https://www.youtube.com/live/g3lIRIcm9XU - you can also set a notification so that YouTube will remind you when we go live.
Can't join live on Tuesday? No problem, the video will be available on YouTube after we are live.
Join the Sleep Apnea Squad email list to stay up to date with every upcoming event and all our free sleep apnea resources: Sign up for email
Want to look at future Sleep Apnea Squad topics? Check out this page: https://project-sleep.com/sleep-apnea-squad/
TIME Article: https://time.com/7176245/sleep-apnea-treatments-cpap-machine/
8 December 2024, 4:09 pm - 10 minutes 37 secondsJoin the Sleep Apnea Squad!
Join the Sleep Apnea Squad!
1) Sign up for e-updates from Emma about the Sleep Apnea Squad - click here
2) Join Emma this Tuesday for a live stream on YouTube!
Could I Have Sleep Apnea?
Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET
Join us as we share about sleep apnea symptoms and bust some unhelpful stereotypes along the way!
To join LIVE click here: https://www.youtube.com/live/cRIzAOpaJK8
3) Check out the upcoming topics and mark the dates in your calendar.
https://project-sleep.com/sleep-apnea-squad/
Thanks for being part of my new squad!
4 August 2024, 3:58 pm - 31 minutes 43 seconds143 - Live from SLEEP 2024
Emma co-hosted an event called "Rise, Shine and Share" in Houston, Texas to bring together a group of great sleep people in one place.
My co-hosts:
Mollie Eastman
Teresa Palmer
Featured in this episode:
Nathan Blamick
https://www.4thquarterfocus.com/
Dr. Allison Kole:
https://www.askthesleepmd.com/
Dr. Valerie Cacho:
https://www.sleephoria.health/
Kristen Cascio:
https://www.instagram.com/meandmycpap
Dr. Carleara Weiss:
https://www.carlearaweiss.com/
Drew Copeland
https://www.instagram.com/slumberjackdrew
Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown
https://www.therestfulsleepplace.com/
Dr. Sahil Chopra
Matthew Allard
https://www.instagram.com/somnomed_northamerica/
https://www.instagram.com/sleepingaroundthepodcast/
This episode and our "Rise, Shine and Share" event were sponsored by Aeroflow Sleep - learn more here: https://www.aeroflowsleep.com
Connect with Emma:
Follow the podcast on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sleepapneastories
Email Emma at [email protected]
https://www.sleepapneastories.com
Order "The 6-Week CPAP Solution Workbook" by Emma Cooksey
Click here: https://a.co/d/1KUzY0O in the US or search your Amazon store for the title in your country.
Disclaimer: This podcast episode includes people with sleep apnea discussing their experiences with medical procedures and devices. This is for information purposes only and you should consult with your medical professionals before starting or stopping any medication or treatment.
5 June 2024, 3:32 pm - 27 minutes 27 seconds142 - Emma Cooksey - Sleep Apnea Q&A
Emma answers listener questions.
In this episode:
Q) How can I stop air leaking from the mask? I can't wear it any tighter.
Q) How can I keep the mask from irritating my face? Any liners that work well?
Q) If there's no leaking, do I still need to change them every 3-6 months?
Q) Do you wash new CPAP supplies?
Q) How do people manage camping/adventures with their kids and using CPAP?
Q) 2 weeks using CPAP, when should I see a change? I honestly feel more exhausted than before.
Q) Suggestions for having a big tongue that could be causing sleep apnea?
This episode is sponsored by Aeroflow Sleep - learn more here: https://www.aeroflowsleep.com
Research on nasal pillows masks: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5014980/
Mask Liners:
Emma's Amazon Storefront
https://www.amazon.com/shop/sleepapneastories
Emma's Favorite CPAP Battery (10% off)
https://www.exppropower.com/discount/emma
Vik Veer's video on tongue procedures:
https://youtu.be/DAvt3sc5NSI?feature=shared
Positional Therapy options:
Amazon page links: please note these links earn a small commission for the podcast at no additional cost to you. It's a great way to support the podcast!
Connect with Emma:
Follow the podcast on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sleepapneastories
Email Emma at [email protected]
https://www.sleepapneastories.com
Order "The 6-Week CPAP Solution Workbook" by Emma Cooksey
Click here: https://a.co/d/1KUzY0O in the US or search your Amazon store for the title in your country.
Disclaimer: This podcast episode includes people with sleep apnea discussing their experiences with medical procedures and devices. This is for information purposes only and you should consult with your medical professionals before starting or stopping any medication or treatment.
29 May 2024, 10:00 am - 33 minutes 37 seconds141 - Dr. Adam Goldberg - A Cardiologist Shares his OSA Journey
Emma is joined by Dr. Adam Goldberg M.D., a Cardiologist at Electrophysiology at Cardiovascular Associates of Charlottesville and at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia.
In this episode:
* Dr. Goldberg shares about his medical training and his exposure to patients with sleep apnea.
* Adam explains atrial fibrillation and the irregular rapid heartbeat that people experience with that condition.
* Studies showing that management of sleep apnea can improve AFib.
* Adam shares the exhaustion he felt being a young doctor and how he was unsure if that was owing to a sleep problem or just working long hours.
* Experiencing worsening reflux and Adam's decision to seek treatment after his wife complained about his snoring.
* Seeing a pulmonologist at the hospital and being tested for sleep apnea at a hotel specially equipped for sleep studies.
* Receiving a diagnosis of severe sleep apnea and being set up on CPAP.
Connect with Dr. Goldberg:
https://cvilleheart.com/staff/adam-goldberg
This episode is sponsored by Aeroflow Sleep - learn more here: https://www.aeroflowsleep.com
Connect with Emma:
Follow the podcast on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sleepapneastories
Email Emma at [email protected]
https://www.sleepapneastories.com
Order "The 6-Week CPAP Solution Workbook" by Emma Cooksey
Click here: https://a.co/d/1KUzY0O in the US or search your Amazon store for the title in your country.
Disclaimer: This podcast episode includes people with sleep apnea discussing their experiences with medical procedures and devices. This is for information purposes only and you should consult with your medical professionals before starting or stopping any medication or treatment.
22 May 2024, 10:00 am - 42 minutes 49 seconds140 - Dr. Eric Thuler - Tongue Reduction Surgery for OSA
Emma is joined by Dr. Eric Thuler, an adjunct Professor in sleep surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.
In this episode:
* Dr. Thuler explains how he trained in medicine and got into otolaryngology for his residency.
* Eric explains research into DISE and CT scans of OSA patients.
* Research with myofunctional therapists and how tongue positioning could change the airway.
* Joining the group at University of Pennsylvania to develop a way to measure upper airway collapsibility.
* Questioning whether AHI is the best measure for OSA when it is really the effort to breathe which depends upon collapsibility.
* Research into soft tissue volume and how that didn't show a relationship to increased collapsibility. However, they found that increased tongue volume did indicate a higher collapsibility of the airway.
* Using the Da Vinci system to do less invasive surgery.
* Looking at narrow and underdeveloped jaws and how that affects whether there is enough room for the tongue.
* Dr. Thuler explains that obstructive sleep apnea requires choosing the right treatment option for the right patient.
Dr. Eric Thuler:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eric-Thuler
https://oto.med.upenn.edu/research-clinical-trials/clinical-research/sleep-surgery/
Connect with Emma:
Follow the podcast on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sleepapneastories
Email Emma at [email protected]
https://www.sleepapneastories.com
Order "The 6-Week CPAP Solution Workbook" by Emma Cooksey
Click here: https://a.co/d/1KUzY0O in the US or search your Amazon store for the title in your country.
Disclaimer: This podcast episode includes people with sleep apnea discussing their experiences with medical procedures and devices. This is for information purposes only and you should consult with your medical professionals before starting or stopping any medication or treatment.
15 May 2024, 10:00 am - 24 minutes 17 seconds139 - Ginny Oliaro - CPAP for the Win!
Emma is joined by Ginny Oliaro, a young woman sharing her journey to diagnosis and treatment for severe obstructive sleep apnea.
In this episode:
* Ginny shares about the loud snoring and daytime sleepiness that prompted her to seek help from her doctor.
* Snoring running in the family and being treated as not a big health problem.
* Ginny explains struggling to keep her eyes open on her short, 15-minute drive.
* A sleep test showed Ginny was having 101 events per hour and receiving a diagnosis of severe obstructive sleep apnea.
* Starting CPAP and enjoying better sleep almost immediately.
* Switching to Aeroflow Sleep for future CPAP supplies.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Aeroflow Sleep - learn more here: https://www.aeroflowsleep.com
Aeroflow Sleep videos featuring Ginny:
https://youtu.be/nw5t1i83wak?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/OIFYh5cueCc?feature=shared
Connect with Emma:
Follow the podcast on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sleepapneastories
Email Emma at [email protected]
https://www.sleepapneastories.com
Order "The 6-Week CPAP Solution Workbook" by Emma Cooksey
Click here: https://a.co/d/1KUzY0O in the US or search your Amazon store for the title in your country.
Disclaimer: This podcast episode includes people with sleep apnea discussing their experiences with medical procedures and devices. This is for information purposes only and you should consult with your medical professionals before starting or stopping any medication or treatment.
8 May 2024, 10:00 am - 32 minutes 59 seconds138 - Dr. Clare Simon - Mandibular Advancement Devices for OSA in the UK
Emma is joined by Dr. Clare Simon, a dentist offering mandibular advancement devices to patients in the UK.
In this episode:
* Clare shares how she discovered dental sleep medicine after around 10 years of general dentistry.
* Clare's husband's snoring and how he became her first patient.
* Why Clare decided to leave general dentistry to set up The London Dental Sleep Clinic.
* How patients access mandibular advancement devices in the UK via the NHS and paying privately.
* Clare explains how she uses home sleep tests for her patients.
* Increasing awareness around sleep health and sleep apnea.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Aeroflow Sleep - learn more here: https://www.aeroflowsleep.com
Connect with Dr. Clare Simon
https://www.londondentalsleepclinic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drclaresimon/
Connect with Emma:
Follow the podcast on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sleepapneastories
Email Emma at [email protected]
https://www.sleepapneastories.com
Order "The 6-Week CPAP Solution Workbook" by Emma Cooksey
Click here: https://a.co/d/1KUzY0O in the US or search your Amazon store for the title in your country.
Disclaimer: This podcast episode includes people with sleep apnea discussing their experiences with medical procedures and devices. This is for information purposes only and you should consult with your medical professionals before starting or stopping any medication or treatment.
Suicide prevention resources:
https://988lifeline.org/
1 May 2024, 10:00 am - 32 minutes 26 seconds137 - Nathan Pounds - Advocating for a Child with Sleep Apnea
Emma is joined by Nathan Pounds who shares his journey as a parent advocating for his child to get a diagnosis with obstructive sleep apnea.
In this episode:
* Nathan explains how he and his wife have four children who are 9, 8, 4 and 1.
* Breathing issues showing up in their eldest child as a baby and having him diagnosed as having "failure to thrive".
* As their son becomes a toddler, he shows ADHD and sensory issues.
* Visiting the pediatrician and being refused a referral for a sleep study because their child did not snore despite frequent nighttime wakenings and ADHD-like symptoms.
* Nathan talks about advocating for his child to get a referral for a sleep study.
* Getting a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and referral to an ENT.
* Proceeding with surgery to remove adenoids and tonsils.
* Referal to a pediatric pulmonologist who could only address one concern out of OSA and asthma because of insurance billing and coding.
* Having a negative experience with a pediatric pulmonologist who advised Nathan that removing tonsils and adenoids was the ONLY treatment option for pediatric OSA.
* Completing a follow-up sleep study 3 months after the surgery and discovering Nathan's child's OSA had worsened to severe.
* Starting on CPAP and seeing massive improvements in sleep quality and growth in their child.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Aeroflow Sleep - learn more here: https://www.aeroflowsleep.com
Connect with Emma:
Follow the podcast on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sleepapneastories
Email Emma at [email protected]
https://www.sleepapneastories.com
Order "The 6-Week CPAP Solution Workbook" by Emma Cooksey
Click here: https://a.co/d/1KUzY0O in the US or search your Amazon store for the title in your country.
Disclaimer: This podcast episode includes people with sleep apnea discussing their experiences with medical procedures and devices. This is for information purposes only and you should consult with your medical professionals before starting or stopping any medication or treatment.
24 April 2024, 10:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App