More military vets suffer from sleep apnea
The veterans administration (VA) says that more than 20 percent of military veterans suffer from sleep apnea, a sleep disorder linked to daytime drowsiness, heart disease, and even strokes.
From 2008-2010, the number of veterans receiving benefits for the sleep disorder increased by more than 60 percent.
And one of the main risk factors is weight.
According to experts, fat not only gets to the belly, it also gets to the throat. When this happens, it narrows the passage way for air in the throat, resulting in snoring. This makes it difficult for the sufferer to sleep.
Some experts also attribute the condition to prolonged exposure to dust and smoke during the sufferer’s missions in Iran and Afghanistan.
The most common treatment is the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask. However, users have complained about the mask’s comfort and fit. They have to wear it during sleep hours.
The VA is spending an estimated $500 million annually to treat veterans with sleep apnea.
