August 14, 2014
The nation’s sleep experts agree: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – a potentially life-threatening disease involving episodes of complete or partial airway obstruction during sleep – is dangerously on the rise.
LCWA client the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is continuing its partnership with CDC on the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project with a new campaign: urging the 25 million (and counting) Americans who suffer from sleep apnea to see a doctor. Many sufferers of the disease remain untreated, which puts them at higher risk for cardiac disease, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and obesity. The program is designed to educate Americans about the five major warning signs of sleep apnea: snoring, obesity, gasping/choking, daytime fatigue and high blood pressure. A social awareness campaign has also been launched, encouraging those with warning signs to take the pledge to #StoptheSnore and talk to a doctor.
The AASM and CDC both recognize that many of the damaging effects of sleep apnea can be stopped, and even reversed, through diagnosis and treatment by a board-certified sleep specialist. Remember, anyone can have sleep apnea, so take the pledge to #StoptheSnore today: stopsnoringpledge.org