Serious Sleep Apnea and Death - Two Intertwined Realities

According to a new study in the Journal Sleep, people who suffer with serious forms of sleep apnea are several more times likely to die than those without this condition.  Serious sleep apnea is now being called "the condition that erodes your health" by one prominent sleep expert.  Picture a situation where night after night, week after week, month after month you are being constantly robbed of refreshing sleep.  Is it any surprise there is a dire outcome predicted???

It is estimated that between 12 and 18 million people suffer from moderate to severe apnea.  It's up to a person to realize that they have it, since much of the pathology happens at night, in the privacy of the bedroom (unless you are so loud the neighbors hear you).  Often times a partner will get worried during the periods when the person stops breathing and let them know about it.  And this "cessation of breathing" can occur hundreds of times nightly in severe cases.

Let's be clear.  Apnea is associated with a higher risk for hypertension, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and excessive daytime sleepiness.  The person is often times overweight.  Experts feel that they are still under-estimating the number of people with sleep apnea or SDB (sleep disordered breathing).  What's the bottom line?  If you are overweight and snore and have ongoing "tiredness" - you are probably a good candidate for a sleep apnea evaluation.  the life you save....could be your own!!