Sleep Apnea: Prevalence and Ramifications

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA) is a life threatening disorder affecting over 18 million Americans. 40% of Americans snore and 40% of snorers have OSA with no signs or symptoms of the disease.

Serious repercussions /consequences of untreated OSA include: 

• Increased risk of stroke.
• Increased high blood pressure.
• Increased incidence of atrial fibrillation.
• Increased risk of diabetes.
• Poor memory and other cognitive impairments.
• Male impotence and decreased sex drive.
• Headaches.
• Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents.
• Increase in Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD).
• Increase in ADHD in children.
• Death.

Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Sleep Disordered Breathing

• Snoring.
• Waking up due to gasping or choking.
• Excessive daytime sleepiness.
• Irritability.
• Memory loss.
• Nighttime grinding of teeth.
• Restless or unrefreshed sleep.
• Frequent waking during sleep.

How common is OSA?

• 40% of adults over 40 snore
  (approx. 87 million Americans)
• 9% of men and 4% of women suffer from some form of OSA.
  (approx. 30 million Americans)
• Less than 10% of OSA sufferers have been diagnosed
  (Approx 3 million Americans)
• Of those diagnosed with OSA, less than 25% have been successfully treated."

Incidence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA) is a life threatening disorder affecting over 18 million Americans. Research estimates that up to 9% of adult males and 4% of females suffer from sleep disordered breathing, yet fewer than 10% have been diagnosed. In fact, the most recent studies have shown that 1 in 4 adults in the United States (31% of all men and 21% of all women over 18) are at "high risk" for OSA (based on analysis of the National Sleep Foundation's 2005 Sleep in America survey).