Sleep disorders involve any difficulties related to sleeping, including difficulty falling or staying asleep, falling asleep at inappropriate times, excessive total sleep time, or abnormal behaviors associated with sleep. Some estimates say that there are over 100 disorders of sleeping and waking that interfere with quality of life and personal health, and endanger public health.
Sleep Apnea affects more than 12 million adult Americans. Risk factors include being male, overweight, and over the age of forty. However, sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, even children. This very serious disorder can have significant health consequences including high blood pressure, other cardiovascular diseases, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, headaches and even death if left untreated. Because of lack of public and health care professional awareness, the vast majority of cases go undiagnosed and untreated.
For more information on sleep, contact the Ministry Sleep Wellness Center at 715.343.3322 or the Ministry Medical Group Neurology Department at 715.342.7775.