Conditions

Sleep Apnea Common for Fit Athletes

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Published on Tuesday, 09 November 2010 03:18

Written by Anne Moss Rogers

The typical perceived body type for sleep apnea is overweight guys who are sedentary. But recently, it has been discovered that athletes are just as much as risk if not more so due to the workout their hearts get during the waking/training times of the day.

In an article published in November 2010 in Men’s Health, they cite that sleep apnea's threat to highly active men is being taken seriously by medical researchers. Eric Mair, M.D., a clinical professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is one of a growing number of scientists who say that routine apnea screening needs to include a group rarely suspected as apnea candidates: strong, aerobically fit men, who are at heightened risk because of their muscular physiques.

"The traits that make professional soldiers formidable on the battlefield," he says, "including increased BMI from upper-body muscular hypertrophy, and large, muscular necks, can leave them gasping for breath as they sleep."¹

Health problems as a result of sleep apnea

The sleep disorder in young, fit, and otherwise healthy men amplifies the danger that it will have negative, physical consequences because these patients may be less willing to be tested.

But when you evaluate the possible consequences, including heart problems, stroke and diabetes, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction and libido drops, fatigue, depression and even heart attack or stroke, it's clear that learning more about sleep apnea or getting tested should be at the top of your health checklist-- even if you think you're not at risk.

Tom Zehmisch, a lean and superbly fit triathlete who died of a heart attack during the biking leg of a triathlon. He was 46. He had the snoring symptom common to sleep apnea sufferers and is thought to have died from complications related to sleep apnea.

If you’re an athlete with sleep apnea, your heart never gets a break

Usually, if you work out hard during the day, nighttime is when your heart gets a break and a chance to rest. But if you have sleep apnea, the heart doesn’t get this break. And as a result athletes can be at higher risk based on the fact that their hearts have to work harder to survive. Sleep apnea means your brain and heart are not getting sufficient oxygen and the patient is therefore not well rested with tendencies to feel groggy and sleepy, often falling asleep at the wheel and even during sex!

Treatment. CPAP or Dental device?

For those who are dating, the dental device is often preferred. For others, the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) works better. But usually one or even both of the CPAP or the dental device will treat sleep apnea. It is not curable at this time although some do have surgery to improve the condition; the jury is out on how effective the surgery is.

Basically, though, you need to be evaluated at a follow up to determine which works best for you since everyone is different.

How does the CPAP work?

CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. Basically, it forces air into your breathing tube at night keeping the airway open while you sleep. Before you go to sleep, you put on a CPAP mask. Types range from full-face masks to nasal masks to prongs inserted into the nose.

The mask is connected by a long tube to the CPAP machine. There is a filter in the machine to remove impurities from the air, as well as a tank of distilled water to humidify the air. Humidification reduces the irritation of the CPAP air. A chinstrap helps keep the mouth closed so that breathing is done through the nose. When the machine turns on, it provides that continuous stream of air through the nasal passages.

How does the sleep apnea dental device work?

SomnaDent, just one of the oral appliance brands, is a low-profile sleep apnea dental device that gently pushes the jaw forward to increase oxygen flow through the airway. Ideal for those who have difficulty with a CPAP, the dental device allows for a more restful and unencumbered night's sleep. For athletes, a good night's sleep is particularly important, as it allows the body to recover and rest after intense workouts, which is key to maintaining and increasing fitness levels.

Other dental devices are Tap and Herbst Telescopic Appliance.

Sleep Apnea Facts

Not convinced? Here are some important statistics:

An estimated 4-6% of men suffer from sleep apnea.

As many as 14% of NFL players have sleep apnea, according to a 2003 study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

That 14% is double or triple the male population.

More information on the dental devices:

CPAP people
Dental Innovations

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¹ Men’s Health Magazine, Jim Thornton author