Sleep Apnea a Common Problem for NFL Players

A new study being presented today shows that obstructive sleep apnea is common in retired NFL players.

The study involved 167 players. Results show that 60 percent of the linemen had sleep apnea. During sleep they had an average of 18.1 breathing pauses per hour.

The linemen also had an average body mass index of 34.2. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

Forty-six percent of non-linemen had sleep apnea. They had an average of 13.4 breathing pauses per hour.



The study is consistent with previous research.

A 2003 study of 302 NFL players found that they are more likely to have sleep apnea than other men their age. The risk was highest for offensive and defensive linemen.

A 2005 study found that 97 percent of NFL players are overweight, with a BMI of 25 or higher. Being overweight or obese is one risk factor for sleep apnea.

The death in 2004 of retired NFL star Reggie White focused attention on sleep apnea and the NFL. White died at the age of 43. Reports indicate that sleep apnea may have played a role in his death.

In 2007 the NFL and the NFL Players Association began working together to target heart disease and sleep apnea in retired players.

Grey's Anatomy Dissects PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common among returning military personnel, though it is not often discussed. That may change after last week’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy entitled “Elevator love Letter.”

Owen Hunt became head of trauma at Seattle Grey’s Hospital after receiving an honorable discharge from the army. Although Owen returned physically intact, his co-workers are beginning to see that he did not escape the war unscathed.

In the episode, Dr. Hunt has a nightmare that is triggered by the rotating blades of the ceiling fan in his girlfriend Cristina’s bedroom. Cristina is awakened by Owen choking her aggressively. Owen awakens, feeling confused, disturbed and ashamed.

His co-worker believes that he is suffering from PTSD. Common symptoms include memory loss, depression and anger. People suffering from PTSD continue to experience disturbing effects caused by the event, which often occur in the form of recurrent dreams or nightmares.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, nightmares tend to be the most disturbing for people with PTSD. In these dreams they may relive the event in a way that seems shockingly real.

Most people with PTSD report having disturbed sleep. It can be very hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. This is known as “adjustment insomnia.” The lack of restful sleep can make feelings of anxiety, anger and depression even worse.

A severe case of PTSD may need to be treated with intensive counseling by a trained therapist. Some forms of cognitive behavioral therapy may also improve sleep. The short-term use of medications also may give PTSD suffers temporary relief.

Understanding Child Parasomnias

Child parasomnias are sleep disorders that can put a scare into parents. Episodes can involve unusual and undesirable actions.

Nightmares may be the most familiar parasomnia. Others include sleepwalking and sleep terrors.

The good news is that these disorders tend to be common and harmless in children. In many cases the child will have no memory of the event.

But some children may have a more severe problem with a parasomnia. You should contact an AASM-accredited sleep center if a sleep problem greatly disturbs your child.

It may be hard to distinguish some parasomnias from one another. They can have similar features.

This chart will help you compare four common child parasomnias. Get tips for parents from the AASM.

Are You at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea can have a severe impact on your health and well-being. Studies have linked it to problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and depression.

But most people with sleep apnea are unaware that they have it. Could you be one of these people?

Find out by answering these simple questions. See if you might be at risk for sleep apnea.

Get help for sleep apnea at an AASM-accredited sleep center near you.

Insomnia and Weight Gain

A new study examined the link between insomnia and weight gain.

The study involved 14 men with primary insomnia and 24 healthy controls. It measured their levels of the “hunger hormones” leptin and ghrelin three times during one night of sleep.

Results show that men with insomnia had less total sleep time than controls. Leptin levels were similar between the two groups. Leptin helps to suppress your appetite and increase your metabolism.

But ghrelin levels were about 30 percent lower in men with insomnia. Ghrelin stimulates appetite.

So it would seem that insomnia lowers your risk of weight gain. Less ghrelin means you would be less hungry.

But this may not be the case. Lead author Sarosh Motivala of UCLA thinks that a change may occur during the day to increase appetite. Other studies show that sleep loss decreases leptin and increases ghrelin.

What is clear is that insomnia disrupts how the body regulates appetite.

"The current study shows that insomnia patients have a dysregulation in energy balance that could explain why these patients gain weight over time," Motivala said in a UCLA statement. “"This is an exciting finding because it highlights how diverse behaviors like sleep and eating are connected.”

Most people with insomnia have “secondary” insomnia. It occurs along with another medical problem, mental illness or sleep disorder. It also may result from the use of a medication or substance.

The men in this study had “primary insomnia.” This kind of insomnia is unrelated to another health problem. It is estimated that about 25 percent of people with insomnia have primary insomnia.

A 2008 study in the journal Sleep linked primary insomnia to low levels of a brain chemical. Results show that GABA levels are reduced by 30 percent in adults with chronic primary insomnia.

Learn more about the link between sleep and weight.