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What if the anxiety, brain fog, or depression you've been struggling with isn't just in your head — but in your airway? In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Sami Estrada sits down with Dr. Max Kerr, a dentist and sleep health expert, for a conversation that just might change the way you think about sleep forever.

Dr. Kerr shares the deeply personal story of how his mother-in-law's stroke and his partner's father-in-law's heart attack led him to dedicate his career to sleep health — and why he believes untreated sleep apnea is one of the most underdiagnosed threats to our wellbeing today. And the numbers back him up: 1 in 5 people have some form of sleep disordered breathing, and most don't even know it.

Together, Dr. Sami and Dr. Kerr dive into the surprising link between sleep apnea and PTSD, why your body might actually be using insomnia to protect you, how disrupted REM sleep prevents emotional healing, and why this condition affects far more people than the old stereotype suggests. They also break down why CPAP compliance fails 60% of patients, what alternatives exist, and the surprisingly simple ways you can get tested from the comfort of your own home.

If you've been waking up exhausted, feeling irritable, emotionally stuck, or struggling to manage your mental health — this episode is for you. Because untreated sleep apnea can steal up to seven years from your life. But the good news? It doesn't have to.

Connect with Dr. Max Kerr:
🌐 sleepbetteraustin.com
📧 MKerr@sleepbetteraustin.com
📱 Instagram: @SleepBetterAustin | @DrMaxK

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 🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode! 

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Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis resource.