Sleep Apnea and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Doubles the Risk of Death

A new research by scientists of the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia has stated that older adults suffering from moderate to severe sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness have more than twice the risk of death as compared to people who do not have both conditions.

289 adults over 65-years of age were part of the study. About 20% older adults have sleep apnea and 10-33% adults are affected by excessive daytime sleepiness. However, having sleep apnea alone or just feeling excessively sleepy during the day did not increase the risk of death.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Overview
Obstructive sleep apnea should be suspected in overweight middle aged adults who snore loudly and which can cause interruption of breathing for 10 seconds or more and this results in reduced blood o

Researchers have not been able to understand the reason why sleep apnea combined with excessive daytime sleepiness might increase the risk of death among older adults. Further studies have to be carried out to find out whether treatment would reduce the risk of death for these people. This study is published in the journal ‘Sleep’.

Source-Medindia

Sleep Disorders Discussed - Sleepcon 2009
Sleep disorders are increasing worldwide. Sleep medicine experts met at Sleepcon 2009, an international conference in Chennai to explore better diagnostic methods and treatment of sleep ailments.

Sleep Apnea may Increase Risk of Diabetes
Researchers at the Yale University School of Medicine have found that patients with obstructive sleep apnea are at increased risk for developing of type II diabetes

Sleep Apnea Raises Heart Disease Risk in Kidney Transplant Patients
Kidney transplant patients with sleep apnea are at an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, according to a new study.