Sleep Apnea More Common In Former Football Players Than Previously Recognized

New investigation led by investigators astatine Vanderbilt Health and nan Football Players Health Study astatine Harvard University suggests that slumber apnea whitethorn beryllium acold much communal - and much clinically important - among erstwhile master shot players than antecedently recognized.

The study, published precocious successful nan diary Neurology, examined astir 2,000 erstwhile players. It recovered that while astir 32% of participants were antecedently diagnosed pinch slumber apnea, nan existent prevalence whitethorn beryllium person to 69% erstwhile accounting for undiagnosed individuals whose screening measures showed they were astatine elevated risk.

Obstructive slumber apnea (OSA) is simply a information successful which pharynx muscles suffer their reside and disrupt breathing by blocking nan airway. The study's co-first author, Douglas Terry, PhD, adjunct professor of Neurological Surgery and co-director of nan Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center, explained nan consequence factors associated pinch nan beingness traits commonly seen successful master shot players.

"Football players are physically unsocial individuals," said Terry. "They're often rather gangly and muscular, and erstwhile they retire, their bodies mightiness predispose them to a assortment of wellness risks. Being male, having a precocious assemblage wide scale (BMI) and having a heavy neck, which galore erstwhile shot players do, often put group astatine greater consequence for slumber apnea."

Terry added that of those who had been diagnosed pinch slumber apnea, galore were not treating it adequately. Survey information suggested that complete half of participants who had slumber apnea were not regularly utilizing a continuous affirmative airway unit (CPAP) machine, which is nan astir communal curen for slumber apnea.

The study besides examined really slumber apnea whitethorn effect different symptoms, including cognitive and affectional effects.

"Individuals who had under-treated aliases undiagnosed slumber apnea had amplified symptoms of anxiety, depression, chronic pain and cognitive issues specified arsenic representation concerns," said nan study's co-first author, Rachel Grashow, PhD, MS, head of Epidemiological Research Initiatives for nan Football Players Health Study astatine Harvard University. "This study

underscores that slumber apnea is simply a modifiable consequence factor, and that improved screening and adherence to curen could meaningfully effect value of life."

The study was supported by nan National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). The study's authors wish to admit that location was nary editorial input from either nan NFLPA aliases nan National Football League (NFL) connected nan paper.