Press Releases
June 30, 2023
A Wake-Up Call for Sleep Health: President Biden’s CPAP Machine Use Highlights Importance of Diagnosing, Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Untreated OSA can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. But early diagnosis and treatment can deliver quality sleep—and better overall health.
The White House announced this week that President Biden, who previously had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, has recently started using a CPAP machine—also known as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy—to treat this common condition.
“We are thrilled to hear that the President has been proactive about his sleep health and has chosen to take action by using the CPAP therapy,” says Dr. Monica Mallampalli, executive director of Alliance of Sleep Apnea Partners (ASAP), a patient-focused group committed to promoting diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sleep apnea. More than 30 million people in the United States alone are thought to have obstructive sleep apnea, a chronic condition that causes a person to stop breathing periodically during sleep.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy currently is the gold standard for treating obstructive sleep apnea. It works by providing a constant flow of air pressure through a face mask to keep the wearer’s airways open during sleep. Although it can be difficult to get used to a CPAP machine, once patients adjust they often find they are able to breathe better, resulting in quality sleep and better overall health.
Obstructive sleep apnea causes a loss of oxygen that can be detrimental to overall health, including brain health. “Many chronic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline can be prevented or delayed if sleep apnea is diagnosed and treated early,” says ASAP Board Chair Sarah Gorman.
Unfortunately, many people with obstructive sleep apnea remain undiagnosed and untreated.
Although the condition mostly affects men, women also can suffer from sleep apnea and need to recognize their symptoms, which can sometimes be different from those in men. “It is extremely important for anyone who suspects they have trouble breathing at night to talk to their doctor and ask to be screened for sleep apnea,” Gorman says. “Early diagnosis and treatment can be a game-changer for many who are struggling from health consequences related to sleep apnea.”
For more information and resources on sleep apnea, including symptoms and risk factors, visit the Alliance of Sleep Apnea Partners website at apneapartners.org.
About the Alliance of Sleep Apnea Partners: ASAP is a U.S.-based 501c3 organization committed to promoting diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sleep apnea on behalf of the patient community to advance the lifelong well-being of sleep apnea patients.
For more details or to schedule an interview, contact:
410-963-1261