The Big Sleep

When people think of sleep apnea, they picture a heavyset, sedentary middle-aged guy who subsists on Budweiser and cheeseburgers. But Eric Mair, M.D., a clinical professor of medicine at UNC Chapel Hill, says that fit athletes need to be concerned about sleep apnea.

Dr. Mair says the attributes, such as high relative BMI and muscular upper bodies can contribute to sleep apnea. ( A 2003 study showed that 14% of highly conditioned NFL athletes suffer from sleep apnea- triple the rate in the total population.)

The double whammy for fit athletes is that their heart works hard during training, and that sleep apnea keeps their heart working hard at night when it is supposed to be recovering.

So, how do you know if you have sleep apnea? The only way to know for sure is to get a sleep study, such as the one offered by St. Anthony's Sleep Disorder Center in St. Pete, Florida. But here are some things to look for:

Snoring
Insomnia
Nighttime Awakenings
Morning or nighttime headaches
Irritability
Daytime sleepiness
Sweating during sleep
Chest pain during sleep
Tossing/ turning during sleep
Memory problems
Choking or gasping during sleep

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, see a doctor as soon as possible. The long-term effects of sleep apnea can be quite serious:

Heart attack
Stroke
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Decreased performance
Increased risk of car accidents

As an illustration, 46 year-old Tom Zehmisch, a fit triathlete, died during a triathlon from what is suspected were complications from sleep apnea.

So, even if you are quite "fit", see a doctor if you experience any of the symptoms of sleep apnea.




Phillip Marlowe: You know what he'll do? Kick my teeth out and then kick me in the stomach for mumbling. ( The Big Sleep, 1946, Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall)
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