2017 Volume 63 Issue 6 Pages 422-426
Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is an umbrella term for several chronic conditions in which partial or complete cessation of breathing occurs many times throughout the; one SDB condition in particular, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), has been globally recognized as a growing public health issue. OSAS is a chronic disease involving repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep that can cause numerous health issues if left untreated such as increased risk for hypertension, coronary heart disease, type-2 diabetes, stroke and depression. Daytime sleepiness, which can occur secondary to OSAS, impacts one’s ability to operate a motor vehicle properly and is likened to driving under the influence of alcohol. Early screening has the potential to identify OSAS and initiate subsequent treatment, which can improve breathing during sleep and decrease daytime sleepiness. The significance of early detection cannot be overlooked, as the far-reaching effects of OSAS have large public health implications.
