Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been a growing health topic in recent years. The sleep disorder is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, leading to sleep disruptions and daytime drowsiness. OSA has already been tired to serious health conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. And now, a new study suggests OSA increases the risk of pneumonia as well.
While the study did look into the reason why OSA increases the likelihood of developing pneumonia, those with the sleep disorder had a 1.20-fold increased risk of developing it, compared to those who did not. The more severe the OSA, the higher risk there was for pneumonia to follow.
Researchers at Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan, studied 34,100 people over an 11-year period from 2000-2011. 6,816 of the participants had OSA, while the remaining 27,284 did not.
The results by the end of the study specifically showed 638 out of the 6,816 participants with sleep apnea developed pneumonia, while 2,119 out of the 27,284 participants without sleep apnea developed pneumonia.
See a licensed physician about any sleep issues as soon as possible. Sleep is just as important your diet and exercise regimen. We want to see you live happier, longer and healthier!
No comments yet.