12/22/06
Over 65% of adults over the age of 18 are either overweight or obese according to the Census Bureau Publication released on December 15, 2006. With an increasing amount of research linking OSA to obesity, the health crisis is growing.
“During recent years, there has been a tremendous explosion of patients diagnosed with sleep apnea, based on a study performed at our center,” said to Mansoor Madani, DMD, director of the center for corrective surgery, who is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. “There is no question in my mind that when you are excessively overweight you have the potential for breathing problems while you sleep. The amount of oxygen delivered to your vital organs—including your heart and brain—is reduced, increasing your likelihood of heart attack and stroke.”
It is estimated that about 60% of all American adults snore occasionally, and about 40 million are habitual snorers. Of those, about 27 million heavy snorers disturb their bed partners and about 12 million are diagnosed with sleep apnea.
“We have helped thousands of patients with laser surgery but we can’t cure all those who suffer from sleep apnea. We take these statistics seriously and encourage all American families to pay serious attention to their body weight,” Madani advises.
