Sleep Apnea in the US Threatens Public Health

New studies highlight the destructive nature of obstructive sleep apnea and benefits of CPAP therapy. Public health and safety are threatened by the increasing prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea, which now afflicts at least 25 million adults in the U.S., according to the National Healthy Sleep AwarenessProject. Several new studies highlight the destructive nature of obstructive sleep apnea, a chronic disease that increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and depression.

Public safety is only given a mention, but needs more emphasis as it is unknown how many accidents are caused by people being drowsy or asleep while driving. I have even seen drivers asleep at the when at stoplights. Sometimes other drivers sit and honk at them, but most just drive around them.

Data published previously in the American Journal of Epidemiology shows that the prevalence rates of obstructive sleep apnea have increased substantially during the last two decades, most likely because of the obesity epidemic. The latest estimates predict that 26 percent of adults between the ages of 30 and 70 years have sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is destroying the health of millions of Americans, and the problem has only gotten worse over the last two decades. The effective treatment of sleep apnea is one of the keys to success as our nation attempts to reduce health care spending and improve chronic disease management.

Findings from new studies emphasize the negative effects of sleep apnea on brain and heart health. These health risks can be reduced through the effective treatment of sleep apnea with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

1. “A neuroimaging study in the September issue of the journal Sleep found that participants with severe, untreated sleep apnea had a significant reduction in white matter fiber integrity in multiple brain areas, which was accompanied by impairments to cognition, mood, and daytime alertness. One year of CPAP therapy led to an almost complete reversal of this brain damage.
2. A study published online ahead of print Sept. 21 in the journal NeuroImage found functional and anatomical changes in brainstem regions of people with sleep apnea.
3. A study in the October issue of Anesthesiology shows that diagnosing sleep apnea and prescribing CPAP therapy prior to surgery significantly reduced postoperative cardiovascular complications - specifically cardiac arrest and shock - by more than half.
4. A study published online ahead of print Sept. 19 in the Journal of Hypertension found a favorable reduction of blood pressure with CPAP treatment in patients with resistant hypertension and sleep apnea.
5. A Brazilian population study published online ahead of print Sept. 23 found that nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias occurred in 92 percent of patients with severe sleep apnea, compared with 53 percent of people without sleep apnea. The prevalence of rhythm disturbance also increased with sleep apnea severity. “

Common warning signs for sleep apnea include snoring and choking, gasping, or silent breathing pauses during sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sleep Research Society, and other partners in the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project urge anyone with signs or symptoms of sleep apnea to visit this website to pledge to "Stop the Snore" and talk to a doctor about sleep apnea.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, follow the directions above and see a doctor specializing in sleep problems. I use a CPAP machine daily and find that I have not had more problems with sleep and am generally rested when I awake in the morning.