Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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.
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Article By: Dr. Harold D. Jackson M.D.
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