There are many negative health effects that having untreated obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to, including heart disease, stroke and heart attacks. Recent studies have looked at the effect sleep apnea has on quality of life, depression and anxiety. Several new studies also link sleep apnea to erectile dysfunction, or ED.
A study by Seftel and colleagues recently found that over forty percent of male patients with sleep apnea also have ED, with the vast majority not experiencing any problem until the symptoms of sleep apnea worsened.
Another study looked at the data of 100 men under the age of 60, that were not diabetic, and had been newly diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. They were asked questions to find out if ED caused a decrease in libido. Of the 100 men interviewed with sleep apnea, 45.6 percent reported ED, with 27.2 also experiencing a decreased libido.
People with obstructive sleep apnea tend to snore, and will have interruptions in breathing while sleeping, typically lasting a few seconds or more. Sleep apnea can be treated with a variety of options, ranging from CPAP machines to surgery. If you suspect that sleep apnea may be a problem, schedule a consultation with Atlanta ENT today.
Ramie A. Tritt, M.D., President, Atlanta ENT
