A report from The Washington Post indicates that US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia may have forgotten to use his CPAP machine the evening he passed away and discusses why that can be dangerous.
U.S. Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia was known for the exacting style of his opinions, the way he labored over each and every word. His hotel room the night of his death on Feb. 13 in Texas reflected this obsession with detail. According to a sheriff’s report obtained by The Washington Post this week, he was lying in bed with his arms at his side and his bed covers smooth. Nearby was his suitcase, which was open and full of neatly folded clothes.
Only one thing appeared amiss: a breathing apparatus. The small device, called a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, was on the nightstand next to him — but unplugged and not turned on.
The finding has sparked speculation that Scalia may have forgotten to use it that night.
The cause of his death hasn’t been definitively given but the Presidio County Sheriff’s Office has said there’s no evidence of foul play and his doctor has noted that the former justice had numerous serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Scalia is one of an estimated 22 million Americans who have sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by either a blockage of the airway or a signaling issue from the brain regarding breathing during sleep. This can cause someone to stop breathing — for a second, a minute or more — up to hundreds of times each night.
I had a feeling he had sleep apnea. It’s a positive thing that he had been diagnosed and had his CPAP with him, but how sad that he wasn’t using it. This night of all nights not to be using it. If he was taking pain medicine for his shoulder pain, if he had a few cocktails in the evening, if where he was staying was higher in elevation than he was accustomed to all of these could contribute to the more severity of his apnea that night…then not using his CPAP.
I read a comment from someone that had made a comment earlier…”You can’t die from Sleep Apnea”. YES YOU CAN. Do you remember Reggie White the football player from the Eagles then Green Bay. He died in his sleep from the complications of Sleep Apnea. And he was an athlete.
If you have the symptoms of Sleep Apnea… get tested. If positive for Apnea…get treated (CPAP for sure, or something else that works if you can’t do CPAP). You could add 10% to the years of your life & may be a little happier :-).
However, you have to wear it every night. If you travel, take it with you. Pack an extension cord. Some hotels and cruise ships are stingy with electrical outlets. Make a list of your CPAP stuff and keep it in your CPAP carry case. Check to see that you have everything before you leave. Nothing worse than getting to your destination or back home and have left your power cord or mask behind.
May Justice Scalia rest in peace.