Sleep Apnea

40 million Americans have obstructive sleep apea...25 million men & 15 million women.

15 million of these individuals experience daytime sleepiness. Research indicates that more than 10 million men in the U.S. and almost 5 million women have major symptoms of sleep deprivation. (The magnitude of this problem is reflected in the fact that every hour, somewhere in America, an accident occurs due to drowsy driving.)


Obstructive sleep apnea is a more serious condition that poses very real threats to our health. Sleep apnea is characterized by partial or complete obstruction of air flow through the airway at night while we are sleeping. These breathing disorders interrupt the flow of air into the lungs and reduce oxygen levels in the body, reflected in two basic measures of severity:

Apneas are defined as nearly complete obstruction in airflow of 90% or greater, with pauses in breathing of 10 seconds or longer. The obstruction can occur at any number of possible locations along the airway.

Hypopneas are defined as partial obstruction of 30% to 90% in normal airflow, with pauses in breathing of 10 seconds or longer. These events are accompanied by a 3% to 4% drop in the oxygen level in the blood.


More to come . . .