Healthy Living: Sleep apnea increases risk for other health issues

Obesity and its impact on health is a hot topic lately. Study after study, whether it is nationwide or a health needs assessment, show it is a growing epidemic that can lead to many other health problems.
But one of the associated problems not talked much about is sleep apnea, a disorder that involves shallow or interrupted breathing that can interrupt your sleep.
While on the surface this may not seem as important as diabetes or other health issues related to being overweight, there is more to consider. Sleep apnea increases the risk for stroke, high blood pressure and heart disease. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea are also at higher risk for postoperative complications.
Studies show sleep apnea is present in 50 percent to 70 percent of stroke patients. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine placed the figure at 68 percent. Another study of 5,422 people with untreated sleep apnea showed that 193 of them had strokes within nine years.
This makes it even more important that we treat sleep apnea as the major health issue it is.
But detecting it can be a problem. Many times it cannot be detected in a physician’s office, and the person suffering from sleep apnea may not know it until a family member notices it when they are sleeping.
Symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Daytime sleepiness
- Insomnia
- Breathing pauses during sleep
- Shortness of breath that wake you up
- Waking up with a headache, dry mouth or sore throat
If you experience these symptoms, or observe them in others, see a doctor.
Unfortunately, sleep apnea is a chronic condition, but it can be managed with a variety of treatments, including weight-loss programs, CPAP breathing machines, dental oral appliances and surgery.
It’s important to have this sleeping disorder diagnosed and treated before it is too late.
Dr. Setu Vora is medical director of critical care and quality at The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, and in private practice. This column should not replace the advice of your health care provider. To comment on this column or others, visit our Healthy Living blog at www.healthydocs.blogspot.com