Annual medical checkups typically cover the basics: diet, exercise and mental state. Surprisingly, many primary care providers fail to ask about one of the fundamental contributors to well-being: sleep. We are two neuroscientists who study sleep and memory. We have both experienced this omission with our own doctors, even though we represent different ages and genders. When asked, almost everyone has complaints about their sleep, yet most people fail to prioritize sleep. But poor sleep shouldn’t be ignored. One particularly problematic sleep disorder is sleep apnea, and it is not rare. The condition affects nearly 1 billion people worldwide, estimates suggest, and the number continues to grow. In October 2025, former basketball star Shaquille O’Neal was featured in an awareness campaign for sleep apnea. But much greater awareness is needed. The most common type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, is characterized by repeated blockage of breathing during sleep, often resulting in sleepiness during the day, headaches or snoring – or a combination of these – and in the long term, increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Patients may not fit the typical profile: The stereotype is that the ones with sleep apnea are older males trending toward obese. Others may…
Healthcare
Sleep apnea compromises far more than a good night’s rest – 2 neuroscientists outline the risks and the need for better diagnosis
Source: The Conversation Health — CC BY-ND 4.0