By: Holly Jordano
When people think of the disorder Obstructive Sleep Apnea-one might picture a middle aged, over weight, unhealthy man with a cigarette dangling from his lips, snoring in his la-z-boy chair. Through raised awareness, dental enlightenment and even mainstream television-we’ve actually learned that’s not the case at all. OSA is effecting women, children, the healthy, the overweight and the underweight alike. Although, OSA may be more prevalent in overweight patients with health issues such as high blood pressure, hypertension, and diabetes, it’s still an airway issue-and can effect people of all body types and health levels. Take male athletes for example; their powerful legs, sturdy demeanor, solid core and strict diet empowers them with a speed and endurance most ‘normal’ individuals lack. NFL footballers are known for running hard, and hitting harder. Neck sizes reaching 22 inches diameter and weighing in at 300 pounds, these boys are solid muscle. These boys are also more likely to be running around the field undiagnosed with the sleepy killer, OSA.
We remember Reggie White, the retired NFL Defensive End who had a successful career playing for such teams as the Eagles, Panthers and the Packers. His tragic death from OSA opened the eyes of coaches, athletic physicians, and fellow athletes on the severity of the disorder. Its become a topic of medical conversation and concern. Percy Harvin, the Minnesota Viking who was rushed to the hospital after collapsing during an August 2010 game, due to a migraine attach was later diagnosed with OSA. Since his diagnosis and treatment of OSA, his migraines have subsided. Can it be, that if we treat sleep apnea, other health issues disappear?
In the world of NFL and even college football, many players are being screened and treated for sleep apnea through oral appliance therapy, or CPAP. Earl Mitchell #92, a second year Defensive Tackle for the Houston Texans is making worldwide headlines and news for his quickness and endurance, weighing in at a solid 292 pounds, this “2010 Texans Rookie of the Year” is destined for greatness. During his college football days at University of Arizona, Mitchell was just as an impressive Defensive Tackle as he is today in the NFL. As a Wildcat, Mitchell began showing signs of sever daytime fatigue, and had problems with concentration and sleep patterns. “There were numerous times when I would be talking to my teachers or my coaches and I would literally fall asleep in mid-sentence, or mid-thought.” Mitchell tells Sleep Medicine Magazine on his level of exhaustion due to lack of sleep. His coach (and teachers) insisted he take a sleep test, as he showed signs of sleep apnea. Other signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include; snoring, morning headaches, irritability, reduced attention and memory loss. Mitchell went home with a home sleep test, and waited for the results.
Mitchell, being educated and aware of the condition got tested. Luckily, Mitchell doesn’t suffer from sleep apnea. However, there are many football players on the field today who do suffer, but don’t take action. This absence of action is due to either unawareness or intolerance, (not wearing the prescribed CPAP). As they continue to play; game after game they are putting their bodies under significant amounts of stress, and come time for sleep-they deprive themselves of precious oxygen necessary for cell growth, rejuvenation and life.
Shaquille O’Neal’s recent diagnosis of moderate sleep apnea, has caused a spike in sleep studies in athletes. His 4 minute video and interview with Harvard Sleep Doctor, and Sleep Group Solutions Medical Advisor, Atul Malhotra gets personal and up close with Shaq and his newly diagnosed sleep apnea (www.UnderstandingSleep.org).
In 2003 and interesting study by Archie Roberts, MD and founder of the Living Heart Foundation screened and studied more than 1,200 retired NFL players. They found that 40% of those who participated in the study, had sleep apnea. What’s also interesting is the condition was most prevalent among linemen—with 60% to 70% of them absolutely diagnosed with the disorder. “Over the past 30 years, body size of players has increased dramatically,” says Roberts. “Today, more than 300 players in the NFL weigh over 300 pounds.” These are the athletes flagged for obstructive sleep apnea, even though they are extremely active. OSA is life threatening, and athletes, should especially be tested accordingly.
In a perfect world, more athletes would be screened and treated for OSA, and ideally talk about it in the media, and in medical circles. After all, if our real American idols (NFL) are talking about OSA and raising awareness, wouldn’t American culture be more open to listen? What if Bo (like Shaq, Mitchell and Harvin) Knew OSA? Would America, and essentially the world follow suit?
