Metabolism and Sleep: How GLP-1s and Other Medications are Treating OSA

This session explores the complex relationship between sleep, metabolism, and emerging therapies for sleep-related disorders. Learners will review key metabolic processes that occur during both normal and disrupted sleep, highlighting how sleep physiology influences overall metabolic health. The session will also examine the role of GLP-1 agonists in the management of obesity and obstructive sleep apnea, weighing their potential benefits against limitations and risks to support informed, evidence-based clinical decision-making. This session will also introduce other medical therapies being evaluated in clinical trials to help support patients with sleep apnea. 

Presenter: Jessica Schweller, MS, APRN-CNP, RRT, RRT-SDS, AE-C, CCSH, FAARC

The AARC and its members have long recognized that patient adherence for management of sleep-disordered breathing is at an unacceptable level—about 50% discontinue positive airway pressure therapy within the first year. The AARC has developed the following guide to train clinicians how to communicate with sleep patients, identify reasons why adherence is poor, and intercede with interventions that may improve compliance.

Approved for 4.0 CRCE Hours

**Please note that this program requires the participant to view the entire intro video prior to taking the final quiz and obtaining a course certificate.**

As respiratory therapists, we likely have an excellent professional understanding of the “many shades of COPD” from our patient care experiences. However, we may not have considered the concomitant impact sleep disorders bring to our COPD patients.  Sleep Disordered Breathing is one of the most underdiagnosed and neglected disorders directly affecting both the quality and quantity of life for our COPD patients.  The goal of this presentation is to advance the understanding and professional toolkit of the practicing therapist to assess the potential presence of Overlap Syndrome.

• To access the post-course quiz, you must watch the entire intro video. The course content you will be tested on is available as a PDF in the Resources section or Materials tab. 

• AARC-University courses are reviewed and updated every 3 years to ensure the quality and relevance of your learning experience. You can only claim?CRCE credit?for a course once within its 3-year active period. 

As respiratory therapists, we likely have an excellent professional understanding of the “many shades of COPD” from our patient care experiences. However, we may not have considered the concomitant impact sleep disorders bring to our COPD patients.  Sleep Disordered Breathing is one of the most underdiagnosed and neglected disorders directly affecting both the quality and quantity of life for our COPD patients.  The goal of this presentation is to advance the understanding and professional toolkit of the practicing therapist to assess the potential presence of Overlap Syndrome.

• To access the post-course quiz, you must watch the entire intro video. The course content you will be tested on is available as a PDF in the Resources section or Materials tab. 

• AARC-University courses are reviewed and updated every 3 years to ensure the quality and relevance of your learning experience. You can only claim?CRCE credit?for a course once within its 3-year active period.  

As respiratory therapists, we likely have an excellent professional understanding of the “many shades of COPD” from our patient care experiences. However, we may not have considered the concomitant impact sleep disorders bring to our COPD patients.  Sleep Disordered Breathing is one of the most underdiagnosed and neglected disorders directly affecting both the quality and quantity of life for our COPD patients.  The goal of this presentation is to advance the understanding and professional toolkit of the practicing therapist to assess the potential presence of Overlap Syndrome.

• To access the post-course quiz, you must watch the entire intro video. The course content you will be tested on is available as a PDF in the Resources section or Materials tab. 

• AARC-University courses are reviewed and updated every 3 years to ensure the quality and relevance of your learning experience. You can only claim?CRCE credit?for a course once within its 3-year active period. 

Is CPAP going the way of the dodo? More and more options are becoming available to patients each year to treat sleep apnea but how effective are they? Are they available to everyone? What negative effects come with these forms of treatment. This webcast will review the new trends leaning towards oral appliances, hypoglossal nerve stimulators, and other alternative forms of treatment for sleep apnea and the research that has been completed with these devices.

**Please note that all programs require the participant to view the entire program prior to taking the final quiz and obtaining a course certificate.**

PAP therapy compliance has been a hot topic for years as more insurance companies require compliance for continued therapy. How does compliance rate for your clinic and what does compliance really mean? Does being compliant improve patient outcomes? This lecture will explore the importance of PAP compliance and the implications associated with non-adherence to therapy. This presentation was previously released as part of the 2017 AARC Current Topic educational series.

Presented by Jessica Schweller, MS, RRT, RN, CNP

**Please note that all programs require the participant to view the entire program prior to taking the final quiz and obtaining a course certificate.**

PAP therapy compliance has been a hot topic for years as more insurance companies require compliance for continued therapy. How does compliance rate for your clinic and what does compliance really mean? Does being compliant improve patient outcomes? This lecture will explore the importance of PAP compliance and the implications associated with non-adherence to therapy. This presentation was previously released as part of the 2017 AARC Current Topic educational series.

**Please note that all programs require the participant to view the entire program prior to taking the final quiz and obtaining a course certificate.**

This lecture will explore the treatment options to help treat the residual sleepiness of OSA. From lab work-ups to medication, we will explore the cause and effect of excessive daytime sleepiness despite good OSA treatment.

As 2020 has progressed, the world of sleep medicine has seen its share of ups and downs during the pandemic. As COVID-19 has impacted the healthcare system as a whole, no one could have prepared for what was to come in the roads ahead, especially for sleep providers and therapists. As RTs, adaptability has been our strong point, and this year has shown the world how our role plays a large part in saving lives. As sleep RTs, preparation for sleep lab closures, new protocols for studies, changing the ways we implement therapy, and the addition of more telemedicine have turned sleep therapy down a course no one could have predicted. This webcast will review some of the highlights that have occurred over the pandemic and discuss some of the changes that are possible because of the strength of RTs working in sleep medicine

• To access the post-course quiz, you must watch the entire intro video. The course content you will be tested on is available as a PDF in the Resources section or Materials tab. 

The Sleep Disorders Specialist credential was developed over a decade ago in response to the increasing number of RTs working in sleep medicine.  Today, increasing public awareness and an aging population ensure that RTs working in all areas of respiratory care will interact with patients who have a sleep disorder.  Let’s discuss the background, requirements, and benefits of achieving the SDS credential for RTs working in and out of the sleep lab.

• To access the post-course quiz, you must watch the entire intro video. The course content you will be tested on is available as a PDF in the Resources section or Materials tab.