MySleepTest.com was designed to increase awareness of the estimated 18 million Americans who are affected by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the danger it presents. Astonishingly, about 90% of those suffering from OSA are currently undiagnosed. If this condition is left untreated, it can increase the risks for serious health conditions, including congestive heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and impotence.
What is sleep apnea? It is a common sleep disorder that is characterized by frequent, brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. These interruptions, or apneas, may last anywhere from 10 seconds to up to 3 minutes and may occur hundreds of times a night. Repeated apneas cause the body to "wake up" just enough to begin breathing again – keeping the sufferer from reaching the deep, beneficial, repairing sleep cycles. This fragmented sleep not only causes a poor night’s rest and reduced energy levels, but it puts additional strain on the heart and lungs, increases blood sugar levels and leads to hypertension.
The good news is treating sleep apnea can reverse these conditions and greatly increase your overall quality of life. We encourage you to take the sleep test right now to see if you are at risk. It only takes a couple of minutes and can get you headed down the path towards improving your overall health.
Do you have sleep Apnea? Here are some symptoms.
- Loud, excessive snoring
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (falling asleep easily & sometimes inappropriately)
- High blood pressure
- Memory problems
- Morning headaches
- Feelings of depression
- Gastro-esophageal reflux (heartburn)
- Impotence
- Nocturia (frequent night time urination)
- Weight gain
- Limited attention
- Lethargy
- Poor judgment
- Personality issues
- Hyperactivity, especially in children
Facts about Sleep Apnea:
- Sleep Apnea affects up to 18 million Americans (16 million are undiagnosed) and is as common as adult diabetes.
- 37% of US adults report that daytime sleepiness interferes with their daily activity.
- Research has also shown that insufficient sleep impairs the body’s ability to use insulin, which can lead to the onset of diabetes.
- Untreated sleep apnea sufferers are 10x more likely to suffer a stroke.
- Untreated sleep apnea sufferers have a 8x increased chance of causing an automobile accident.
- Untreated obstructive sleep apnea sufferers are 5x more likely to develop hypertension.
- Sleep Apnea affects twice as many men as women.
- A typical sleep apnea patient is male, over 40 and overweight – though it affects both men and woman and people of all ages and of ideal weight.
- Sleep apnea occurs in four percent of middle-aged men and two percent of middle-aged women. In males over 65, the figure rises to 28 percent; for women, the number climbs to 24 percent.
- Sleep Apnea may be more common among African Americans, Pacific Islanders and people of Mexican descent.
- Smoking and alcohol consumption increase risk of sleep apnea
- Sleep apnea can occur in infants, and in some cases, has been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Sleep apnea can also occur in children and, in some cases, may be linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- In a given night, the number of involuntary breathing pauses, or "apneic events", may be as high as 20 to 30 or more per hour.
- Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea is important, because it may be associated with irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
- About 83% of people with drug-resistant hypertension have some form of sleep disordered breathing.
- Approximately 50% of people with congestive heart failure have a sleep-disordered breathing, which negatively impacts one’s quality of life and life expectancy.
- Up to 70% of people who have had a stroke also have sleep-disordered breathing.
- About half of sleep apnea suffering patients also have high blood pressure.
- 60% of the people who have type 2 diabetes also suffer from OSA.
- 40% of people who are obese suffer from OSA.