A lesser known health condition that affects an estimated 22 million Americans, the vast majority whom are not diagnosed and who suffer an annual mortality rate estimated at 38,000 — is sleep apnea. Sleep Apnea is the repeated interruption of your sleep. This is quite a serious condition, and it can be deadly by exacerbating heart disease, heart arrhythmias (AFib), high blood pressure, strokes and diabetes. Instances of interrupted breathing while sleeping are called apnea events. This condition has also been associated with depression and memory problems like Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms include overweight, snoring, sleeplessness, fatigue and tiredness during the day.
The good news is that Sleep Apnea can easily be diagnosed and treated. The diagnosis is done with a sleep test to determine how many “apneas” occur during your typical sleep cycle. In some cases, the sleep test can be done in your home. The treatment is generally a CPAP mask (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)or an oral appliance. Diagnosis and treatment are critical. For example, if sleep apnea is corrected, the probability of developing AFib is reduced by 80%! It reduces the risk for all of these serious conditions.
If you have any of these symptoms or suspect you may have sleep apnea, ask your provider who can then determine best next steps to diagnose and treat. Early detection is very important.
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