If sleep apnea doesn't sound serioIf sleep apnea doesn't sound serious, think again. A recent study to emerge out of Washington warns that downplaying sleep apnea or failing to use CPAP machines properly could be severely shortening a patient's lifespan. However, the research does suggest that with the proper treatment plan, this can be reduced.
The Sleep Apnea Study
Performed by research experts at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, the study involved a group of 6,400 people over a period of 8 years. From this, the researchers discovered that those suffering with severe sleep disorders increased their risk of an early death by as much as 46%. And, while those with a mild case of the condition didn't seem to experience the same increase in risk, those who experienced the most effect were men between the ages of 40 and 70.
Perhaps most interesting was that this risk percentage was unaffected by gender, race, age, smoking or weight, all thought to be major contributing factors for death and complications. While only 25% of women had a mild case of the sleep disorder and 3% had a severe case, 42.9% of men had mild sleep apnea while 8.2% of men had a severe form. Researchers explained that those with a severe case of the condition would stop breathing up to 30 times per hour throughout the night.
The Effects of Sleeping Disorders
Sleep apnea is believed to have a number of severe, negative effects on human health. The cessation of breath is believed to have a significant effect on the heart, and can trigger heart disease as well as heart attacks and high blood pressure. Fibromyalgia, sexual dysfunction, and a general inability to function due to exhaustion come into play in daily life as well.
Young children can also suffer with the condition, and if not treated properly with CPAP machines and other devices, can experience serious consequences as well. Additional studies have suggested this sleep disorder may be a contributing factor or cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Others have discovered the condition can inhibit a child's mental ability long after treatments have started and well into adulthood.
Researchers Still Recommend Treatments
Even though smoking and weight are not believed to increase the risk of an early death for patients, researchers still believe that diet and the cessation of smoking can go a long way to improving a patient's expected lifespan. CPAP machines can also help significantly. In fact, experts say CPAP machines in combination with weight loss and a healthier lifestyle can all but make the symptoms of the sleep disorder disappear. These aren't the only treatments available to sufferers, however.
Health professionals have found tonsillectomies have had positive results with some patients. Others have experienced relief simply by using a specially designed mouth guard at night to help keep the patient's mouth in a forward position.
This study proves, yet again, that sleeping disorders aren't as minor as others believe, making it even more important that sufferers start using CPAP machines or alternative treatment for relief. Patients need to get tested for this condition when there are indications that it may be present, just as they do a blood test when diabetes is suspected. Their lives depend on it.us, think again. A recent study to emerge out of Washington warns that downplaying sleep apnea or failing to use CPAP machines properly could be severely shortening a patient's lifespan. However, the research does suggest that with the proper treatment plan, this can be reduced.
The Sleep Apnea Study
Performed by research experts at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, the study involved a group of 6,400 people over a period of 8 years. From this, the researchers discovered that those suffering with severe sleep disorders increased their risk of an early death by as much as 46%. And, while those with a mild case of the condition didn't seem to experience the same increase in risk, those who experienced the most effect were men between the ages of 40 and 70.
Perhaps most interesting was that this risk percentage was unaffected by gender, race, age, smoking or weight, all thought to be major contributing factors for death and complications. While only 25% of women had a mild case of the sleep disorder and 3% had a severe case, 42.9% of men had mild sleep apnea while 8.2% of men had a severe form. Researchers explained that those with a severe case of the condition would stop breathing up to 30 times per hour throughout the night.
The Effects of Sleeping Disorders
Sleep apnea is believed to have a number of severe, negative effects on human health. The cessation of breath is believed to have a significant effect on the heart, and can trigger heart disease as well as heart attacks and high blood pressure. Fibromyalgia, sexual dysfunction, and a general inability to function due to exhaustion come into play in daily life as well.
Young children can also suffer with the condition, and if not treated properly with CPAP machines and other devices, can experience serious consequences as well. Additional studies have suggested this sleep disorder may be a contributing factor or cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Others have discovered the condition can inhibit a child's mental ability long after treatments have started and well into adulthood.
Researchers Still Recommend Treatments
Even though smoking and weight are not believed to increase the risk of an early death for patients, researchers still believe that diet and the cessation of smoking can go a long way to improving a patient's expected lifespan. CPAP machines can also help significantly. In fact, experts say CPAP machines in combination with weight loss and a healthier lifestyle can all but make the symptoms of the sleep disorder disappear. These aren't the only treatments available to sufferers, however.
Health professionals have found tonsillectomies have had positive results with some patients. Others have experienced relief simply by using a specially designed mouth guard at night to help keep the patient's mouth in a forward position.
This study proves, yet again, that sleeping disorders aren't as minor as others believe, making it even more important that sufferers start using CPAP machines or alternative treatment for relief. Patients need to get tested for this condition when there are indications that it may be present, just as they do a blood test when diabetes is suspected. Their lives depend on it.
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