Essential Respiratory & Sleep Australia

23/10/2025

Bushfire Smoke & Asthma – Protect Your Lungs and Your Child’s

Bushfire smoke is more than an irritant — it’s loaded with fine particles that can inflame the airways, trigger asthma attacks, and worsen existing respiratory conditions.

For adults with asthma or lung disease:
• Keep indoors with windows and doors closed when smoke is visible or can be smelled.
• Use air conditioning on recirculate mode if possible.
• Stick to your asthma or COPD management plan and keep your preventer and reliever inhalers close by.
• Seek medical care immediately if you’re using your reliever more often than every three hours or if your symptoms worsen.

For children:
Children’s smaller, more sensitive airways mean they’re hit harder by smoke exposure. Even short-term exposure can cause coughing, wheezing, or breathlessness.
• Keep kids indoors on smoky days and avoid outdoor play.
• Make sure their reliever inhaler and spacer are always on hand.
• If your child’s asthma is flaring, follow their asthma action plan and see a doctor promptly if symptoms don’t settle.

If anyone in your household struggles to breathe easily during smoke events, it’s a sign to review their asthma management. Preventing inflammation today protects the lungs for life.

Essential Respiratory & Sleep Australia
📞 1800-4-SLEEP | 🌐 ersa.au

07/10/2025

Ready to take charge of your light therapy?
The new Biohacker Mode is now live on the AYO app — exclusive to AYO+ devices.

Switch between blue light, red light, or use both at the same time to:
• Boost morning alertness
• Improve sleep quality
• Create and test your own custom protocols

This update gives you full control, right from your app.
If you’ve got an AYO+ device, update your app and you’ll see the Biohacker Mode button on the Home Screen when your wearable is connected.

Perfect for curious minds and serious experimenters. https://www.ersa.au/shop/p/ayo-circadian-light-therapy-glasses

02/10/2025

Waking up with a dry mouth on CPAP?
You’re not alone — it’s one of the most common side effects of CPAP therapy for sleep apnea. But don’t give up on treatment. Untreated sleep apnea raises the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and daytime fatigue.

Why it happens:

CPAP airflow makes the mouth fall open during sleep

Mask leaks or poor fit dry things out

Mouth breathing worsens the problem

What helps:

Use the humidifier (and heated tubing if available)

Adjust humidity and temperature settings

Try a full-face mask or chin strap

Stay well-hydrated through the day

Get your mask fit checked by your provider

Takeaway:
Dry mouth is annoying, but fixable. Don’t let it stop you from using CPAP — the benefits for your health are worth it.

👉 Book an appointment with us today if your CPAP comfort needs improving. Call 1800-4-SLEEP or visit www.ersa.au

01/10/2025

Breathing polluted air over many years may make sleep apnea worse. A European study of more than 19,000 people with sleep apnea found that higher levels of air pollution, especially small particles called PM10, were linked to more severe symptoms. The effect was stronger in some regions than others. This research shows that the air we breathe can affect sleep health and suggests that cleaner air could help reduce the severity of sleep apnea.
Read the full article at

People living in areas of elevated air pollution may be at risk of more serious sleep apnea events, according to a large new study that spans multiple countries. However, being aware of your air quality means you can mitigate that risk to improve your sleep and health.

14/08/2025

Is CPAP the only answer for sleep apnea? Maybe not for long.

The Nyxoah Genio system is a new implantable device designed to treat obstructive sleep apnea without the need for a mask or hose.

How it works: Stimulates the hypoglossal nerve to keep your airway open during sleep.

Who it’s for: Adults with moderate to severe OSA who can’t tolerate CPAP.

Current status: Available in Europe and now approved by the FDA in the USA. In Australia, it has only been used in clinical trials and is not yet commercially available.

The potential: No mask, no hose, and the freedom to sleep naturally while controlling OSA.

We’ll be watching this closely and will share updates on any steps toward approval in Australia.

Follow ERSA to stay up to date on the Genio system and other emerging sleep and respiratory technologies that could change how we treat these conditions.

Would you consider an implant if it meant no more CPAP mask? Tell us below.

13/08/2025

CPAP may help prevent hypertension in OSA.
A European Respiratory Journal study found that continuous positive airway pressure stopped blood pressure from rising in normotensive patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea and a dipping blood pressure pattern. In this randomized controlled trial, the CPAP group showed a significant drop in nighttime diastolic blood pressure compared with usual care, suggesting CPAP could be used to prevent hypertension.

Read the full article here

A new study reveals the potential benefit of continuous positive airway pressure in preventing hypertension in normotensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea and a dipping blood pressure pattern.

03/08/2025

🫁 Child Lung Function Testing is Available from Age 5 🧒👧

At ERSA (Essential Respiratory & Sleep Australia), we provide specialist lung function testing for children aged 5 and up.

Whether it's for asthma, chronic cough, unexplained breathlessness, or pre-surgical evaluation — our experienced Clinical Physiologists use child-friendly equipment and techniques to get accurate, reliable results in a calm and supportive setting.

📍 Bulk billed for eligible referrals
📅 Fast appointment availability
📞 Call 1800-4-SLEEP or visit www.ersa.au to book

🩺 Because respiratory care shouldn’t wait.