Here is something conflicting. While we all know that sleep apnea could very well be fatal to health, a new study seems to have proven that elder people suffering from sleep apnea can actually live longer. Findings shared by the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology revealed that the intermittent lack of oxygen actually protects the cardiovascular systems of the older folks.

Behind this phenomenon is a protein in the blood known as VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), which is created during hypoxia, and which is responsible for the growth of new blood vessels.

“If confirmed, these findings may have important clinical implications regarding treatment of sleep apnea syndrome,” say Prof. and Dr. Lavie in an editorial that accompanied the Chest article. “Moreover, such findings, if combined with individual gene analysis, may provide new treatment strategies for cardiovascular protection.”

(Source) NewsWise

a

So now it can be told! That is if you are ignorant in acknowledging that sleep is needed to power up your golf game or any sport for that matter. But for the topic at hand, golf seems to be the immediate and proven beneficiary, especially for golfers who are suffering from sleep apnea. Apparently people who are not at all fond of using CPAP masks may now want to change their reception of this sleep masks to remedy the dreaded sleep apnea syndrome.

Sleep apnea treatment improved golfers’ handicap ratings by more than one stroke on average, according to research presented at the annual conference of the American College of Chest Physicians. After 20 rounds of golf, the group treated with a form of nightly nasal ventilation saw their handicap drop from 12.4 strokes to 11 strokes. Interestingly, the best golfers in the group improved their scores the most.

Need I say more?

(Source) WSJ

a

As far as determining if you are among the millions of people suffering from sleep apnea, it would take a specialist and sleep equipment to determine if you do have this dreaded sleeping betrayer. Apparently, most of us hear of sleep apnea but with regards to its presence, it is something we would not care about unless we submit ourselves to be checked by licensed sleep physicians.

Thus far, we know that snoring is a clear sign of its presence. Further, sleep apnea is risky. If in cases we have trouble breathing at night (without our knowledge), we are entertaining a high risk of heart failure should air fail to pass by smoothly. A lot of people have had this problem and most of them have succumbed. Don’t be among the people who have suffered this plight. See a doctor and discount that possibility. The difference can be a matter of life and death.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, some narrowing of the throat occurs for everyone during sleep because the muscles relax, but it causes no problems under normal conditions. For others — those with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, or OSAS — the breathing passage narrows to the extent that breathing becomes difficult, likened to “breathing through a floppy, wet straw” by AASM. This causes snoring, which often alerts someone sleeping next to a person with OSAS, but it is more than that, Hanley said, noting the resulting lack of oxygen in the body can cause major health concerns.

(Source) Newsminer

a