Essential Respiratory & Sleep Australia

10/06/2026

Parasomnias: When Sleep Is Not So Quiet

Most people think of sleep as a still, quiet state. For many, it is. For others, sleep comes with unusual behaviours, movements, emotions, or experiences. These are called parasomnias.

Parasomnias are sleep disorders that happen during sleep, while falling asleep, or while waking up. They are usually grouped into three main categories: Non-REM parasomnias, REM parasomnias, and other parasomnias.

Non-REM parasomnias tend to occur during deeper stages of sleep. These include sleep terrors, sleepwalking, and confusional arousals. A person may sit up, walk, appear distressed, or seem confused, but have little or no memory of the event the next morning.

REM parasomnias happen during dream sleep. These include nightmare disorder, REM sleep behaviour disorder, and recurrent isolated sleep paralysis. REM sleep behaviour disorder is especially important because people may physically act out dreams, which can lead to injury. In some adults, it can also be linked with neurological conditions, so it should not be brushed off as “just bad dreams”.

Other parasomnias include bedwetting, sleep-related groaning, and sleep-related hallucinations. Some are more common in children. Others can continue into adulthood or appear later in life.

The key question is simple: is it occasional and harmless, or is it frequent, distressing, dangerous, or affecting daytime function?

A sleep assessment is worth considering if episodes are causing injury, disturbing others, leading to poor sleep, or happening alongside snoring, choking, witnessed apnoeas, marked fatigue, or unusual movements. Sleep disorders rarely read the textbook. That is why proper assessment matters.

At Essential Respiratory & Sleep Australia, we assess sleep concerns in a clinical setting and help patients understand what is happening during the night.

Because sometimes the problem is not getting to sleep.

Sometimes the problem is what happens after you do.

07/05/2026

The AirCurve™ 11 ASV* is an adaptive servo-ventilaton (ASV) device designed to rapidly stabilise breathing¹ in patients with central or mixed sleep apnea, or patients who have periodic breathing with or without obstructive events.

In complex sleep apnea (CompSA) patients, ASV reduced AHI by 90%, compared to a 65% reduction with CPAP.²

Built on the Air11™ platform, it features a seamlessly integrated connected care system, with enhanced support features and Over-the-Air updates.

What’s new with AirCurve 11 ASV?
Combining the trusted algorithm of AirCurve 10 CS PaceWave™ and the Air11 connected ecosystem, the next-generation AirCurve 11 ASV brings several new and enhanced features.

Intuitive touchscreen
95% of clinicians rate the Air11 user interface as intuitive or very intuitive.³

Enhanced connectivity
Built-in cellular† + Bluetooth® technology enabling enhanced AirView™ & myAir™ communication, including Bluetooth oximeter support.

† Cellular communication depends on network availability.

08/04/2026

When people are diagnosed with sleep apnoea, one of the first questions is:

“Does Medicare cover CPAP or a CPAP trial?”

Here’s how it actually works.

Medicare will cover the important first steps.
That includes your sleep study and the medical consultations needed to diagnose sleep apnoea and prescribe treatment.

But Medicare does not pay for CPAP machines.
And it does not fund CPAP trials or rentals.

So if you’re doing a CPAP trial through a private clinic, that cost is usually out of pocket.

Now, there are a few exceptions worth knowing.

If you go through a public hospital sleep service, some patients can access a CPAP machine on loan for a trial period.
This depends on eligibility, and often priority is given to patients with concession cards or financial hardship.

Private health insurance can help.
Many extras policies cover part of the cost of a CPAP machine and accessories, but the amount varies a lot between funds.

There are also specific programs, like DVA for veterans, and in some cases NDIS, where funding may apply.

So the short version:

Medicare covers diagnosis
Medicare does not cover CPAP or CPAP trials
Other support depends on your situation

If you’re unsure what applies to you, the best step is to ask.
We can walk you through your options and help you find the most cost-effective way to start treatment.

26/03/2026

Do your inhalers contain lactose?

If you or someone you care for has a milk protein allergy and uses an inhaler, this is worth knowing.

All standard puffer-style inhalers (pMDIs) are lactose-free. This includes things like Ventolin, Asmol, QVAR, Seretide, Symbicort Rapihaler, Fostair, Trimbow and Breztri. Soft mist inhalers like the Spiriva Respimat are also lactose-free.

Most dry powder inhalers (DPIs) — the ones you inhale sharply from — do contain lactose. This includes Turbuhaler, Accuhaler, Ellipta, Breezhaler, Genuair and Handihaler devices. The exception is Pulmicort Turbuhaler (budesonide), which is a dry powder inhaler without lactose.

For triple therapy, Trimbow and Breztri Aerosphere are pMDIs and lactose-free. Trelegy Ellipta and Enerzair Breezhaler are DPIs and do contain lactose.

One thing worth clarifying — lactose intolerance is not the concern here. The amount inhaled is tiny and bypasses digestion entirely. The risk is specifically for people with a true milk protein allergy, as pharmaceutical-grade lactose can carry trace milk proteins.

Always check with your pharmacist or GP before switching inhalers, and verify the current product information — formulations do change over time.

Feel free to share if you know someone managing both a milk protein allergy and a respiratory condition.

13/02/2026

ResMed myAir Patient Engagement App Now Integrates with Smartwatches

13/02/2026

Do you have the ResMed N20? Lets break down the parts and fitting the mask.

13/02/2026

Adults with ADHD report poorer sleep quality and higher rates of sleep disorders compared with adults without ADHD.

- A recent study in SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine found:

- Higher rates of insomnia

- More delayed sleep phase patterns

- Increased restless legs symptoms

- Greater rates of anxiety and depressive disorders

Adults with ADHD plus anxiety or depression showed the worst sleep outcomes.

Poor sleep worsens attention, emotional regulation, and daytime performance. Untreated sleep problems amplify core ADHD symptoms.

For clinicians and health professionals, routine assessment should include:

- Sleep quality

- Circadian rhythm pattern

- Obstructive sleep apnea risk

- Anxiety symptoms

- Depressive symptoms

- Sleep assessment belongs in standard ADHD care.

01/02/2026

CPAP Beginner Visual Checklist

Use this checklist nightly until CPAP feels routine.

Before Bed
■ Wash face to improve mask seal
■ Fill humidifier chamber with water
■ Ensure mask cushion is clean and dry
■ Position machine lower than mattress height
■ Arrange hose to avoid pulling on the mask

Putting CPAP On
■ Sit or lie down before fitting the mask
■ Turn the machine on before tightening
■ Adjust straps so mask is snug, not tight
■ Check for obvious leaks (minor leaks are acceptable)
■ Activate ramp mode if using it

Comfort Check
■ Breathing feels comfortable (no air hunger)
■ Breathing out feels easy (EPR/Flex on if available)
■ No painful pressure points on face or nose
■ Humidity feels comfortable (not dry or wet)

If Something Feels Wrong
■ Mask leaking – loosen slightly or reseat
■ Dry nose or mouth – increase humidification
■ Bloated or gassy – usually improves with time
■ Blocked nose – use saline spray before bed
■ Uncomfortable – remove, reset, and try again

Overnight
■ If you wake uncomfortable, try refitting first
■ If needed, take a short break, then put CPAP back on
■ Any use is better than none

Morning and Weekly Reminders
■ Remove mask gently in the morning
■ Empty humidifier chamber if needed
■ Note problems for follow-up discussion
■ Wash mask and tubing weekly
■ Check cushion for wear
■ Ask for help early if struggling

If you need further help, please call our CPAP hotline on 1800 0 4 CPAP (2727)

Call now to connect with business.

21/01/2026

Sometimes we have good news 😁 We now have new rooms in Upper Coomera 🫁

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