Sleep apnoea discovery makes condition "a little sexier"
18/02/2010
Patients with severe obstructive sleep apnoea may experience fewer nightmares than individuals without the chronic disorder, it has been asserted.
Researchers from the Sleep Disorders Center of Southern Colorado in Pueblo discovered the issue in a study of nearly 400 participants who answered a range of questions regarding dreams and nightmares, which were evaluated with overnight polysomnography tests.
Only 20.6 per cent of patients suffering from severe obstructive sleep apnoea had frequent nightmares, while over two-thirds of healthy people claimed the same.
Jim Pagel, the lead author of the study, said that after years of having a bad reputation, there was finally something that made the condition "a little sexier".
He continued: "The thought with apnoea is it''s heavy-set, snoring males and does horrible things to how long you live and whether you have heart attacks and stroke.
"It''s not very interesting to people. I think this tie-in to dreams and nightmares makes it a little more interesting."
The NHS states that the most common symptoms of sleep apnoea are snoring, restless sleep, morning headaches, irritability and decreased libido.
Posted by Elizabeth Mewes
