Physicians Hope that NFL Players can Convince People to Use CPAP Machines

People who choose a career as a professional athlete do so with one important concern in mind; the risk of a career ending serious injury ending. However, as more chronic conditions become treatable, athletes are able to continue being highly tuned performers in their chosen sport. One condition that has surged in the past decade is asthma. More athletes are being diagnosed with asthma but are able continue at a high level because of effective treatment. Another chronic condition, sleep apnea, has also become a new focus for many athletes as more evidence supports the theory that sleep apnea affects a wide range of individuals.

Professional Football Players – Prone to Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea has seen a significant increase in the number of people afflicted over the last decade. This increase has triggered sleep experts and sleep therapy centers to research the root cause of this chronic condition. In professional sports, football players are particularly susceptible to sleep apnea. In fact, there are a growing number of football players being diagnosed with sleep apnea and subsequently prescribed a CPAP machine to treat their condition. With physical body types common for people with sleep apnea, football players are being made aware of the symptoms and consequences of being diagnosed with sleep apnea. The sudden and unfortunate death of Reggie White from sleep apnea brought the disorder to the forefront among the sports community.

Getting the Word Out

With football being the nation’s most popular sport, many doctors and PR executives believe that utilizing professional athletes to spread the word about sleep apnea could be an effective means of educating the public about its symptoms, testing and potential dangers. The Reggie White Sleep Disorders Research and Education Foundation has taking a leading role in educating people about sleep disorders and the associated risks. Since sleep apnea is common but remains significantly underdiagnosed, it is helpful to utilize athletes, who can reach a wide audience with minimal effort, as role models and suffers.

Both Big and Fit Guys Are at Risk

It seems that obese people are not the only people struggling with sleeping disorders. Dr. Archie Roberts, a former NFL player, studied retired professional football players and found that larger players, such as defensive and offensive linemen show a higher risk than other players of having sleep apnea. However, two recent cases show that everyone is vulnerable.

Percy Harvin, a wide receiver currently playing for the Minnesota Vikings, is listed at 5’ 11” and 184 pounds. To say that Harvin is in good physical condition would be an understatement. Yet Harvin was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2010 and prescribed a CPAP machine for sleep therapy. Harvin stated that getting a CPAP machine greatly increased his energy levels, performance and outlook. Jamarcus Russell, a former quarterback with the Oakland Raiders, was 6’ 6” and 260 pounds during his playing days. In a 2011 interview, Russell confirmed that he was diagnosed with sleep apnea while struggling with the Raiders but failed to comply with the doctor’s orders for treatment. He is now out of football.

Following the Example of Asthma

When the number of athletes with asthma began to increase, drug companies and doctors used this information to their advantage. Having popular and successful athletes like Billy Jean King or Amy Van Dyken appear in ads and media messages about the ability to live an ordinary life with asthma proved to be highly successful. The athletes provided a powerful message and empowered other young people to seek help for their asthma condition. Sleep physicians are hoping that with the aid of football players, they can mimic asthmas “get out the message” success. By convincing people to not only get a proper diagnosis from a sleep center but also to use their CPAP machine regularly, people with sleep apnea can live a normal life and improve their overall health and well being.

Doctors are optimistic that engaging high profile football players to openly discuss their sleep apnea will send positive messages about the use of CPAP therapy to their fans. By spreading the message to others about using CPAP therapy if diagnosed with sleep apnea, it will help to control their sleep disorder and help to live a happy and well balanced life.