We have yet another tragic death story to share that further proves just how important it is to treat sleep apnea. Did you ever watch the Disney movie “Heavyweights”? Joseph Wayne Miller, who starred in the movie as a Park Ridge, Illinois teen, died in his sleep at the age of 36. His mother, Patricia Clark, stated that he suffered from sleep apnea.
While he suffered from sleep apnea, did he do anything to attempt to improve his health and the condition? We might not know that answer, but we can use this as an example for helping our patients get the care they need and stick with it.
What do we tell our patients?
While treating sleep apnea is important in getting a good night’s rest, treatment can also help treat and maybe even eradicate many other health complications. In addition to decreasing daytime sleepiness and removing a barrier to effective weight loss and/or management, treating sleep apnea can also improve an array of other complications, including:
- Psychological well-being.
- Memory, concentration and other cognitive functioning.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Lower blood pressure levels.
- Productivity during the day with fewer sick days.
- Decrease in the risk of traffic accidents.
A better night’s sleep can go a long way toward improving our patients’ overall health and well-being.
