Sleep apnea is a condition that afflicts an estimated 22 million Americans and is generally believed to be vastly under-diagnosed in the general population. The difficulty in diagnosis originates in the fact that many of the condition’s symptoms can be attributed to a number of ailments, and the medical community is still working to understand and recognize symptoms as possible indications of sleep apnea. (more…)
The year is winding down and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. For most of us, that means festive celebrations, grandma’s out-of-this-world pumpkin pie, and embracing the joys (and trials) of family bonding time.
Excitement is sure to build as the menu planning and guest confirmations progress, but there are also the more sinister behind-the-scenes discussions underway. You know, the high-stakes negotiations that’ll determine who gets to sleep in the room next to the uncle Ted, the notorious relative known for making the walls shake while he sleeps. The one who refuses to wear his CPAP because “he doesn’t want to scare the little ones.” (more…)
Sebastien’s story is very similar to many people’s who suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea. He spent years dealing with persistent fatigue coupled with morning headaches and constant lethargy. His wife endured his nightly loud snoring, though she eventually had to resort to using earplugs to get a good night’s sleep. (more…)
Meet Ellwyn. He’s one of a number of people who suffered from the effects of sleep apnea for years without discovering a solution. He was always groggy, found it impossible to sleep restfully, and even caught himself falling asleep at the wheel. Ellwyn knew that his condition was negatively impacting his health, but he was frustrated by the ineffective treatments he had tried. Desperate, he came to Sleep Dallas to endeavor, one last time, to find an answer. (more…)
If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been known to cause cumulative health risks. Stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s and dementia have been associated with the condition when it’s left alone. A recent study, however, has found that even a few nights without a treatment device increases the metabolic stress that a person with sleep apnea endures. (more…)
Lebron James has reported to ESPN that he sleeps an average of 12 hours each night. Usain Bolt, Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova average ten. By comparison, the average American sleeps seven hours. Reflecting on that simple fact stresses the importance of sleep for the body’s overall performance — the body recovers during sleep, and professional athletes strain their bodies to the limit every day. (more…)
When we think of sleep apnea, the sufferers that often come to mind are mature adults. And that certainly is the case, as it is now estimated that 26 percent of adults between the ages of 30 and 70 have sleep apnea, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. But there are two other age groups that can be affected by disordered breathing during sleep: young children and adolescents. While the cases are less frequent, untreated sleep apnea during childhood can have serious, far-reaching consequences that follow into adulthood.
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We’ve regularly discussed how getting enough sleep is a vital part of self-care and maintaining overall health, especially as we age. Deep sleep is a critical component to keeping our minds and bodies functioning efficiently — it reduces stress and helps protect against serious health problems like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. But new research suggests that a lack of proper sleep may cause permanent damage to the brain. (more…)
As we pass through life’s stages, trials, and tribulations, we inevitably encounter circumstances and situations that affect the quality of our sleep. Overall health, age, lifestyle, habits, and other factors all play a part in sleep health and our ability to get a good night’s rest. (more…)
The news of Carrie Fisher’s cause of death has thrust sleep apnea into the national consciousness again, or at least it should have. While media outlets largely focused on the fact that drugs were found in Fisher’s system, the medical examiner’s report actually noted that sleep apnea and heart disease were major contributing factors in her death. (more…)
