Importance of Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Undisturbed sleep promotes health, lowers stress, increases productivity and contributes significantly to quality of life. Unfortunately, not everyone experiences all the benefits of a good night's sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) affects an estimated 20 million Americans and is associated with chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, heart failure, stroke, sexual dysfunction, and depression. Sleep fragmentation, which results from OSAS can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, headaches, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, loss of productivity and accidents.

It has been estimated that OSAS remains undiagnosed in 82% of men and 93% of women with the condition (1). The costs to the healthcare system of undiagnosed and untreated OSAS are profound. Effectively diagnosing and treating OSAS, rather than dealing with the consequences of this chronic disease reduces overall healthcare costs (2,3).

The diagnosis and treatment of OSAS is a growing and vitally important field. Until medical providers learn to recognize and respond to the seriousness of sleep disorders, the consequences of undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea will continue to be devastating.

Many insurers require objective clinical measures before approving treatment such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or surgical interventions such as bariatric surgery, maxillofacial reconstruction, uvulopalatopharynogoplasty (UPPP), or radiofrequency ablation. A sleep study will furnish you, the physician, with the definitive information you need to implement an effective treatment plan.