Stop the snore: AASM urges sleep apnea action for those at risk

As part of a national campaign, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine is sounding the alarm that snoring is a warning sign for obstructive sleep apnea. The AASM warns that OSA is a potentially life-threatening disease that afflicts at least 25 million adults across the U.S.

Snoring is the most common warning sign for sleep apnea. Other warning signs include silent breathing pauses followed by choking or gasping sounds during sleep. Many people with sleep apnea also complain of fatigue or daytime sleepiness.

Sleep apnea is extremely common in people who are obese. It also occurs in 30 to 40 percent of people with high blood pressure. Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of health problems such as heart disease, stroke and depression.

Are you or your bed partner at risk for sleep apnea? Visit stopsnoringpledge.org to learn more about the warning signs. Then make the pledge to Stop the Snore and talk to a doctor about sleep apnea. Share the pledge on social media with #StoptheSnore.

The Stop the Snore Pledge is part of the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project. The project is a joint effort between the AASM, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sleep Research Society, and other partners.

Visit projecthealthysleep.org for more information.