Chronic snoring is certainly a nuisance to those living with Sleep Apnea, and perhaps even more so to their partners, and it can also take a huge financial toll. A new report released by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) today puts a figure on what Sleep Apnea actually costs the U.S. — and the results are staggering.
All this comes against a backcloth of the much easier availability of stop snoring treatment because it’s now so easy to obtain anti-snoring devices online – and with no prescription required.
According to a report just published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and reviewed in depth by CBS, if every patient in the United States who has Sleep Apnea were diagnosed and treated, it would result in an annual economic saving of just over $100 billion. If those figures were extrapolated to a world total they would multiply to an extraordinary level.
To arrive at their astonishing calculations, the study authors reviewed more than 100 studies on the impact of Sleep Apnea, and interviewed experts in the fields of economics, sleep medicine, productivity, mental health, and accidents. They then constructed detailed financial models taking into account treatment fees pulled from public sources.
An estimated 30 million American adults currently suffer from Sleep Apnea, or about 12 per cent of the U.S. population, the authors say. The worrying thing is that this figure is constantly rising, as it is in other parts of the world.
A simple, but accurate example of this comes from the other side of the world, where Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand is grappling with soaring demand for its Sleep Service as thousands more people struggle with insomnia and Sleep Apnea.
Driven by obesity, an aging population and tighter health and safety regulations, referrals to the hospital’s Sleep Service increased six-fold in 7 years – figures increasing from 800 in 2008 to 4500 last year.
The side effects of Sleep Apnea have costly real-life consequences. According to the study, the annual economic burden of undiagnosed Sleep Apnea among U.S. adults is approximately $149.6 billion. This includes almost $87 billion in lost productivity, $26 billion in car crashes, and $6.5 billion in workplace accidents.
Untreated obstructive Sleep Apnea can also contribute to the risk of other serious health problems, including hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and depression. As such, the AASM estimate that undiagnosed Sleep Apnea leads to $30 billion a year in increased health care and medication costs related to these co-occurring health risks.
Sleep Apnea is characterized by repetitive episodes of disrupted breathing from a complete or partial upper airway obstruction during sleep. It results in snoring or gasping or choking during sleep, often many times each night, which can lead to daytime sleepiness and fatigue. If you, or any family member suffer this way, it is vital to look for stop snoring devices online. These fast-acting, medically approved oral appliances will prevent the problem and any progression. As well as helping to reverse any health problems caused previously.
The proof of this comes in the form of further evidence from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
A second report by the AASM based on a survey of 500 patients found that participants reported better sleep, greater productivity, and a 40 per cent decline in work absences after undergoing treatment for Sleep Apnea. Four out of five people said their Sleep Apnea treatment was a good investment.
Whether you’re a chronic snorer, or you think you may suffer from Sleep Apnea, you should obtain an anti-snoring appliance online as soon as you can – you certainly won’t regret it.
