Your Airway Controls Your Sleep | Prof. Dave Singh & Patrick McKeown

In this NEW episode of the Buteyko Clinic Podcast, Patrick McKeown speaks with Professor Dave Singh (Stanford, craniofacial sleep medicine) about why the upper airway is a living system—not just a pipe—and how this controls sleep, breathing, and long‑term health. We cover: What good sleep really is (beyond “8 hours in bed”) Upper airway homeostasis – why the airway behaves like a dynamic, self‑regulating system Sleep apnea causes: craniofacial structure, obesity, neurology, muscle tone and more Tongue posture & nasal breathing – why waking up with your tongue on the palate matters Children’s sleep: bedwetting, grinding, mouth breathing, pacifiers, tongue‑tie & development Women’s sleep & UARS (Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome) – the subtle, underdiagnosed side of sleep‑disordered breathing Chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, insomnia & sleep fragmentation Hormones, melatonin, growth hormone, cortisol and weight gain when sleep is disrupted Breathing retraining: nasal breathing, diaphragm function, nitric oxide and loop gain Cultural insights: didgeridoo, conch shells, bagpipes and airway vibration for sleep apnea The future of integrative craniofacial sleep medicine and accessible, affordable care worldwide

🔍 Who this episode is for People with snoring, sleep apnea, UARS, insomnia or unrefreshing sleep Women with chronic fatigue, pain, “normal” sleep studies but poor sleep Parents worried about children’s sleep, mouth breathing, bedwetting or teeth grinding Dentists, orthodontists, ENTs, sleep physicians, OMTs, breathing instructors & therapists Anyone interested in breathing retraining, nasal breathing and airway-focused dentistry

📅 Professor Dave Singh’s London Event Craniofacial Sleep Medicine – London, UK

📅 May 1–2

🔗 More info & registration: https://rema-sleep.com/product/sleep-medicine-london-2026/

🔗 Resources & Links Professor Dave Singh – REMA Sleep: https://rema-sleep.com Buteyko Clinic & breathing retraining: www.buteykoclinic.com

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction & Prof. Dave Singh’s background

4:20 – Why sleep is central to human health

8:00 – Upper airway homeostasis explained

13:30 – Causes of airway collapse & sleep apnea

20:00 – Tongue posture, breastfeeding, pacifiers & development

27:30 – Women, UARS & underdiagnosed sleep disorders

36:00 – Sleep hygiene, blue light, diet & nervous system

45:30 – Hormones, weight, growth hormone & cortisol

52:30 – Breathing retraining, nasal breathing & nitric oxide

1:02:00 – Didgeridoo, conch, bagpipes & airway vibration

1:10:00 – Future of integrative craniofacial sleep medicine

1:18:00 – Dave’s London course & closing thoughts