Pro Football Players Sleep and Breathing Study Published in Sleep Medicine Journal

Robert E Peterson RPSGT is a sleep disorder technologist and advocate of sleep disorder education. He hopes the following article drives home the fact that even professional athletes suffer from common sleep disorders. Mr. Peterson has authored two books on sleep disorders. They are available at www.sleepebooks.com.

(PRWEB) January 22, 2004 --A medical study to evaluate sleep in professional football players indicates that players are at risk for sleep-disordered breathing (SBD). The study, which was previously cited in The New England Journal of Medicine (January 23, 2003), was recently published in the July/August 2003 issue of Sleep Medicine.

The study involved more than 300 professional football players and suggests that SDB is fairly widespread in men and affects people who otherwise appear to be healthy. It also suggests that obstructive sleep apnea may be present in young, physically fit men in whom the condition has previously gone undetected. This particular form of sleep-disordered breathing is a serious condition characterized by brief but numerous involuntary breathing pauses and a reduction in blood-oxygen levels during sleep. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to life threatening diseases such as heart disease, hypertension and stroke.

Peterson laments the lack of sleep disorder education in society. A recent poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that "more than two-thirds (69%) of primary care physicians believe they should raise issues about sleep with their patients, however, nearly all (96%) say the discussion is more likely to occur if the patient initiates it. More than 80% of respondents agreed the availability of effective treatments and simple diagnostic tools would encourage them to prioritize sleep-related issues with their patients."

Mr. Peterson has authored two electronic (E)-books on sleep. "Professional Guide To Sleep Disorders Management". This e-book is for the health care professional. It provides simple tools to screen patients for sleep disorders.

SHOUT! SLEEP! is an e-book for every reader. It will show the incredible consequences of not recognizing sleep disorders while explaining exactly what sleep disorders are. The reader will be confident to ask their doctor questions about their sleep after reading this book.

Both books are available for download at www.sleepebooks.com and
Amazon.com.