6 Things to Know About Sleep Apnea
Some signs are subtle, but diagnosis and treatment options abound by Julie Shearer, M.D., AARP | AARP.org Nighttime can be exhausting for the 22 million Americans with sleep apnea, a disorder marked by frequent interruptions in breathing. The condition leaves people not only chronically tired but also at greater risk for diabetes, stroke, heart disease and memory loss. “Sleep apnea is a nighttime disorder with major daytime health consequences,” says sleep specialist Steven Scharf, a clinical professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and director of the Sleep Disorders Center. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t receive the attention it deserves.” …