 Greetings VGS members, My name is Dr. Harold Jackson, I am the hosting medical correspondent for the Virtual Golf Society. My specialties are Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine. Each month we will present medical topics pertinent to golfers which are equally important to overall good health.This month we will address Obstructive Sleep Apnea, (OSA), a condition that is prevalent, but frequently goes undiagnosed. OSA is a condition that is caused by intermittent blockage of the airway during sleep. Most patients with OSA snore, however, not all snorers have sleep apnea. When the airway is blocked, the oxygen level drops triggering the brain to go into a protective mode. Adrenaline is released which can cause the blood pressure to rise, the heart rate to increase, and will cause the kidneys to retain fluid. Ultimately the sleeper awakens, thus, people with sleep apnea will feel tired and non-restored in the morning regardless of how long they sleep. If OSA goes untreated serious medical conditions may ensue: 1. High blood pressure has been linked to sleep apnea 2. The risk of having a heart attack increases 3. The risk of having a stroke increases 4. OSA sufferers are 2 - 5 times more likely to have a car accident 5. Progressive weight gain If you or someone that you know snores loudly and stops breathing during sleep, and has some of the symptoms and medical problems noted above, we encourage you to seek medical attention from a trained sleep professional. |