FACTS

Consequences of Sleep Disordered Breathing

The quality of sleep affects daily activities and has a huge impact on overall quality of life. People who have sleep disordered breathing and bed partners who are kept awake by snoring often suffer from sleep deprivation and are prone to daytime sleepiness. This may

  • Affect productivity and performance at work.
  • Increase risk for injury or illness.
  • Increase the chance of having a traffic accident.
  • Cause strain in personal relationships

Associated Health Problems

Sleep disordered breathing is associated with serious health problems. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Chronic sleepiness
  • Heart attack and stroke
  • Morning headaches
  • Heart disease
  • Depression
  • High blood pressure
  • Reflux (GERD)
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Impotence

Facts about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

  • Nearly 17% of Americans have OSA, which is approximately 51 million people. Less than 10% of them have been diagnosed.
  • Men with a neck size of 17 inches or greater and women with a neck size of 16 inches or greater are at a higher risk for sleep apnea.
  • Untreated OSA results in decreased work productivity.
  • Severe sleep apnea patients can stop breathing 40 or more times per hour.
  • Patients with untreated OSA who undergo anesthesia for surgery are at greater risk for complications during surgery than people without OSA.
  • Weight gain can increase a person’s chances of developing OSA.
  • Patients with sleep apnea are twice as likely to have a heart attack than those who smoke.
  • The risk for stroke increases 1.5 times with OSA.
  • People with OSA are six times more likely to have a car crash than those without the disease. It is believed that an untreated sleep apnea patient is more dangerous than a drunk driver.
  • Untreated OSA increases the risk of complications and even death from related chronic diseases, such as stroke, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.
  • Treatment of OSA results in fewer hospitalizations from related diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.
  • Studies have shown that the partners of OSA sufferers can lose up to one hour of sleep per night due to their bed partner’s loud snoring and apneas.