March 15, 2011 9:32 AM
By Nina Sen
Sleep apnea sufferers are growing in the U.S. as the majority of adults don’t get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep a night. As Americans' waistlines continue to grow, so does the number of people who aren't getting a good night's sleep.At least 40 million Americans suffer from some sort of sleep disorder, including insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and narcolepsy.
About 2 percent of women and at least 4 percent of men suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which the airway collapses and blocks breathing for 30 seconds or even up to a minute or two. The brain senses that it isn't receiving enough oxygen and sends a signal to the person to wake up.
The incidence of sleep apnea rises with age. Experts’ estimate that it affects about 40 percent of people ages 65 and older. In women, the prevalence rises steeply after menopause. And as people get older, the throat muscles become more prone to collapse.
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