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Sleep
Apnea Awareness Week is next week
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[September 28, 2007]
WILMINGTON, Del. -- The American Sleep
Association is preparing for Sleep Apnea Awareness Week, a national
event focused on increasing public awareness about this potentially
deadly sleep disorder. The event will occur during the first seven
days of October.
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 Local and national members and affiliates of the American Sleep
Association will be participating in the event. ASA-affiliated sleep
disorder laboratories will be prepared to answer questions from the
public about sleep apnea. An
online site sponsored by the ASA will
feature a unique lecture on sleep apnea each day during the week.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by repetitive
pauses in breathing during sleep, caused by a temporary blockage in
the throat. Over 5 percent of adults suffer from obstructive sleep
apnea. Most individuals affected by the disorder are unaware of its
presence. Dr. Neil Kline of the ASA states, "Sleep apnea is
associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents as well
as an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and deadly heart
rhythms. Yet, it is easily treated once it is diagnosed."
There are a few options available for the treatment of
obstructive sleep apnea. Continuous positive airway pressure is the
most popular and successful treatment option. A mask placed over the
nose delivers air pressure into the throat, preventing the airway
from closing during the night. Other treatment options include a
custom-made mouthpiece, weight loss and surgery.
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Once treated, individuals diagnosed with sleep apnea often feel
significantly more alert and also decrease their risk of heart
attacks, strokes and accidents related to excessive daytime
sleepiness.
The American Sleep Association is a national organization focused
on improving public awareness about sleep disorders, promoting sleep
medicine research and providing a portal for communication between
patients, physicians, other health care professionals and
scientists. The ASA is a member-driven public service project.
For further information about Sleep Apnea Awareness Week, visit
http://www.sleepassociation.org or
http://www.sleepapneaawarenessweek.com.
[Text from file received
from the American Sleep
Association]
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