Topic: Sleep Apnea

The FDA has approved the weight-loss drug Zepbound to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Medical correspondents report that the drug could effectively cure symptoms in 40% of patients. The hosts discuss the potential for Medicare and Medicaid to cover the high cost of these injectable medications, estimated at $30 billion over ten years.

The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden has begun using a CPAP machine to treat sleep apnea after reporters noticed strap marks on his face. The hosts speculate on Biden's health and longevity, suggesting a potential political strategy where he wins re-election and then resigns in favor of Kamala Harris. They also discuss the potential for a "sympathy vote" following a hypothetical family tragedy involving Hunter Biden.

New studies suggest that legalizing medical marijuana leads to a decrease in opioid prescriptions. Meanwhile, an investigation reveals thousands of "avoidable deaths" in hospitals where patients recovering from surgery die in their sleep. The cause is attributed to painkillers like Fentanyl depressing lung function in patients with undiagnosed sleep apnea.

A comparison of breastfeeding policies highlights a UK government program offering low-income mothers $200 to breastfeed, contrasted with a Pennsylvania legal case where a judge ordered a mother to stop breastfeeding to accommodate a custody schedule. Additionally, Brazilian researchers are investigating a link between high salt intake and sleep apnea, suggesting that fluid shifts to the neck may contribute to the condition.

Sculley discusses his deep involvement in healthcare technology through companies like MDLive and Rally Health. He compares the current shift in healthcare to the rise of electronic banking, predicting that consumers will take more responsibility for their own wellness. He also touches on the 2014 Veterans Affairs (VA) crisis, noting that the backlog of care was predictable to those within the industry.

Brazilian researchers are investigating a link between high salt intake and sleep apnea, suggesting that fluid buildup in the neck causes snoring. In France, thousands of truckers are blocking highways to protest a planned "eco tax" on heavy goods vehicles.

A listener shares a personal account of a sleep study involving Ambien CR, describing a state of "waking paralysis" and total memory loss of the night's events. The hosts discuss the potential dangers of the drug and jokingly speculate on its use for psychological programming.