EDITOR Harrison Wein, Ph.D.,
Writer/Editor
National Institutes of Health
Office of Communications
and Public Liaison
Building 31, Room 5B38
Bethesda, MD 20892-2090
(301) 435-7489
Fax: (301) 496-0019
Assistant Editor:
Vicki Contie
CONTRIBUTORS
Vicki Contie, Margaret Georgiann (illustrations), Paul Girolami and
Harrison Wein
The Need for Sleep Wake up to the Risks of Shortened Slumber Do you toss and turn at night, or have problems falling asleep or staying asleep? Do you have trouble staying awake and alert during the day? If so, you may be one of the estimated 50-70 million Americans who have a sleep disorder. Experts estimate that about one-third of adult Americans will experience some sort of sleep disorder in their life time. And, while many sleep disorders can be treated, most of them go undiagnosed.
The Thief of Sleep Sounding the Alarm About Sleep Apnea If you were at the doctor's office and suddenly stopped breathing for 20 seconds, they'd call an ambulance. During sleep, the more than 12 million Americans estimated to have obstructive sleep apnea may stop breathing 10 or more times an hour. When sleep is regularly disrupted throughout the night, the consequences can be dire, from dangerously sleepy driving to higher risks of diabetes and heart disease.
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