The Impact of Sleep & Sleep Disorders on Patient Health (w/Dr. Saema Tahir) [Ep.141]

Episode Description:
Join me for an in-depth conversation with sleep medicine specialist and quadruple Board Certified Physician (Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine), Dr. Sima Tahir, as we discuss the critical role that sleep plays in overall health. Dr. Tahir shares her journey from working on the COVID-19 frontlines to opening her own boutique sleep practice in Manhattan, and why she believes sleep should be at the forefront of medical care.

Key Topics Covered:
Why Sleep Medicine Matters

• The lack of sleep education in medical schools and residencies
• Why sleep disorders are missed by traditional healthcare systems
• How sleep affects every aspect of health, from mood to chronic disease

Recognizing Sleep Disorders

• Warning signs in children AND adults (headaches, jaw pain, teeth grinding, brain fog, irritability)
• Why children should NEVER snore
• The connection between sleep disorders and ADHD/behavioral issues
• How sleep problems manifest differently in kids vs. adults

The Diagnostic Challenge

• Limitations of polysomnography (sleep studies)
• Why a normal AHI doesn't rule out sleep disorders
• Understanding upper airway resistance syndrome
• The importance of reviewing raw sleep study data

The Multidisciplinary Approach

• Why "sleep takes a team" - collaboration between physicians, dentists, orthodontists, and specialists
• How dental providers can detect sleep and breathing issues
• The role of orthodontics in addressing airway problems
• Breaking down silos between medical and dental

Sleep Quality vs. Quantity

• Why 7-9 hours isn't enough if quality is poor
• Understanding sleep architecture and circadian rhythms
• How weekend sleep schedule changes affect your entire week
• The one-hour-per-day recovery rule

Practical Sleep Hygiene

• The importance of consistent sleep/wake times
• How hormones (especially in perimenopause) affect sleep
• Why waking up multiple times per night is NOT normal
• Red flags that indicate you need a sleep evaluation

Perfect For:

• Healthcare providers (medical and dental)
• Parents concerned about their children's sleep
• Anyone experiencing chronic fatigue, brain fog, or sleep issues
• Professionals interested in the intersection of sleep and overall health

Timestamps:
3:08 (188s) - Meet Dr. Sima Tahir: From COVID Frontlines to Sleep Medicine
3:45 (225s) - Dr. Tahir's Background: Quadruple Board Certified Physician
8:08 (488s) - Why She Left Traditional Medicine to Open a Private Practice
13:25 (805s) - The Shocking Lack of Sleep Education in Medical Schools
22:17 (1337s) - Warning Signs of Sleep Disorders: Head-to-Toe Assessment
27:15 (1635s) - How Dentists & Orthodontists Can Detect Sleep Issues
33:52 (2032s) - The Truth About Sleep Studies: Why Normal Results Don't Rule Out Problems
45:22 (2722s) - Hormones, Aging, and Sleep: What Your Doctor Isn't Asking
53:30 (3210s) - What Does Good Sleep Actually Look Like?
60:38 (3638s) - Sleep Quality vs. Quantity: Waking Up During the Night
66:30 (3990s) - Wearables for Kids & The Future of Sleep Monitoring
70:59 (4259s) - Closing Thoughts & How to Connect with Dr. Tahir

Connect with Dr. Sima Tahir:
Website: https://drsaematahirmd.com/