Wake Up Call: Sleep Apnea May Lead to Stroke
Sleep apnea, a condition in which a sleeping person repeatedly stops breathing long enough to reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood and increase the amount of carbon dioxide, is a disorder many Americans are losing more than sleep over.
Recent findings suggest that sleep-disordered breathing is related to increased odds of suffering a stroke. A Toronto General Hospital doctor and four University Health Network Associates analyzed results from 1,475 sleep-disordered participants over 4, 8 and 12 years. Of the group, 21 suffered a first-ever stroke at an average age of 53.
If you're at all skeptical about the deadly effects of sleep apnea, you may be surprised to learn how this harmful condition can kill brain cells, especially among the elderly.
Normalizing your weight and eliminating grains and sugars can help stabilize the disorder. Also, opt for natural remedies over prescription drugs as the so-called cures can cause more harm than good.
Whether you suffer from sleep apnea or other similar problems or just want to improve the quality and quantity of sleep, try my 29 Secrets to a Good Night's Sleep. Never underestimate the importance of sleep for both mental and physical well being.
American Thoracic Society December 2, 2005