How many people are affected by sleep apnea? What are the risk factors and the consequences of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a very common disorder affecting 2% to 4% of the adult population, it is reported that approximately 12 million people have sleep apnea in the Unite States. However, awareness is low with only around 10% of sufferers being diagnosed and treated. Risk factors include being male, overweight, and over the age of forty, but sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, even children. This serious disorder can have significant consequences, such as headaches, memory problems, depression, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease. Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. For now, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is considered the most effective treatment for OSA.
