The Connection Between Sleep Apnea & NFL Players

It is a dangerous misconception that healthy people and athletes simply can’t have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In fact, a surprising number of professional athletes suffer from the sleep disorder, which affects an estimated 18 million Americans. In addition, just this summer, Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli underwent sleep apnea surgery after suffering from OSA for his entire career as a baseball player. But while MLB players have been in the news regarding sleep apnea in recent weeks, another professional sports league, the NFL, has been grappling with what might be called a sleep apnea epidemic. A recent study found that an estimated one out of three pro football players suffer from OSA.

Sleep Apnea & Football Players: The Facts

A number of studies have found that a significant number of football players have OSA, and a number of famous players have come out to speak publically about their sleep disorder. Here are a few highlights from the news:

• A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that NFL players are four to five time more likely to have sleep apnea than those in the general population.
• A study conducted by the Mayo Clinic has found that an estimated 60 percent of former NFL players suffer from sleep apnea.
• A study conducted at the University of Western Ontario found that 30 percent of current NFL players suffer from sleep apnea.
• Famed Pro-Bowler Reggie White died at just 43 years old. Doctors agree that sleep apnea was a contributing factor in his death.
• Other notable NFL players, including Percy Harvin, JaMarcus Russell, Tony Dorsett, Warren Sapp, and Aaron Taylor, have all been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Why Do Football Players Have Sleep Apnea?

If sleep apnea is associated with poor health, why would some of the most powerful, explosive, and in-shape people in our country have trouble breathing at night? According to researchers, there are a number of reasons, including:

• Weight. While football players are in shape, they may also be technically overweight or obese – and they are only getting bigger. Many linemen weigh over 300 pounds and many retired football players gain large amounts of weight after they leave the field.
• Neck circumference. People with a neck circumference over 17 inches have an increased risk of sleep apnea, and a large number of football players have a solid builds and thick necks. These extra inches around the neck can crowd the airway, making it more difficult to breathe at night.
• Blocked airways. Football players lead rough-and-tumble lives on the gridiron and many of them have suffered injuries to their head, neck, and face. A significant number of players have broken their noses and have deviated septums due to sports injuries. These obstructions in their noses and mouths can make breathing at night that much harder.

Sleep Apnea Surgery for Athletes

Sleep apnea can affect your abilities on the field in addition to your restful sleep at night. And whether or not you are an athlete, sleep apnea can have devastating and even deadly effects on your health and wellness. At Surgical Sleep Solutions, we specialize in a sleep apnea surgery that can help patients treat and even cure their sleep apnea, all without the use of CPAP.

To learn more, call our center today at (855) 560-7378 or request more information below.

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