How far do you dive while you sleep?
With this provoking question, I would like to highlight the fact that many day- time problems, fatigue, sleepiness, hypertension, vascular accidents – are in fact originating during our sleep. They are the consequences of respiratory troubles while sleeping called obstructive sleep apneas (OSA). Their manifestations are respiratory stops followed by noisy snoring.
Snoring and sleep apnea are common breathing problems that can affect your sleep, health and the quality of life.
Often, snoring and sleep apnea come together as a package, caused by changes in the upper airway while you sleep. Your airway may narrow, limiting airflow as you breath; it may vibrate, commonly heard as snoring; or it may collapse, so you stop breathing, This third type of change is called an obstructive apnea, and may last for 10 seconds or more. Your airway may even through all three stages.
Some statistics
1 adult in 4 is a regular snorer
Between 2 to 8 % of the adult population in western countries suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
It is estimated that 20 million Americans are affected by sleep apnea. That would represent more than 6.5%, or nearly 1 in 15 Americans, making sleep apnea as prevalent as asthma or diabetes. It is also estimated that 85-90 percent of individuals affected are undiagnosed and untreated.
Scientific studies on severe sleep apnea patients showed the following increased cardio-vascular risks:
3,3 times more likely to have sudden death or a stroke
2,9 times more likely to develop arterial hypertension
With regard to road safety, a study showed that an untreated apneic was up to 15 times more likely to have a traffic accident) Horstman S. et coll. Sleep.
