What Does AI Say about the Lack of Awareness of Complex Insomnia
Complex Insomnia = Insomnia and Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Ask Gemini AI why our research has not taken root, and I must say the answer appears fairly complete to my eye:
“Based on the information available, there are several potential reasons why some sleep doctors may not have fully embraced Dr. Krakow's research on the connection between insomnia and sleep-disordered breathing:
Focus on Traditional SDB: Many sleep specialists primarily focus on the more "classic" symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which involves clear apneas and hypopneas. UARS, which Dr. Krakow emphasizes, can be more subtle and may not be as readily recognized or treated.
Varied Definitions and Diagnostic Criteria: There can be variability in how sleep-disordered breathing, particularly UARS, is defined and diagnosed. Some sleep centers may not routinely score respiratory effort-related arousals (RERAs), which are a key feature of UARS, making it harder to identify the condition.
Comfort Level with Complex Cases: Treating patients with both insomnia and sleep-disordered breathing, especially those with mental health comorbidities, can be more complex. Some sleep doctors may feel less comfortable managing these patients or may lack specific training in this area.
Insurance and Reimbursement Issues: There can be challenges in getting insurance coverage for the comprehensive testing (like in-lab polysomnography) needed to diagnose UARS and for the treatment of conditions that some insurers view as less "standard" than OSA.
Established Practices: There's often a degree of inertia in adopting new perspectives in any medical field. Established practices and treatment protocols may take time to change, even when new research emerges.
Lack of Widespread Awareness: Despite Dr. Krakow's efforts, awareness of the strong link between insomnia and UARS may still be limited within the broader sleep medicine community.
It's important to note that this is a complex issue with varying perspectives within the sleep medicine field.”