House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

In the near future, I intend to introduce a resolution designating May 2013, as “Sleep Apnea Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where a person has one or more pauses in breathing, which can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, or shallow breaths while sleeping. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type, while central is the least common of the three types.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 18 million American adults have sleep apnea. Prominent symptoms of sleep apnea include: loud snoring, obesity, persistent daytime sleepiness, awakening out of breath during the night, waking up in the morning with a dry mouth or a headache. About 2% of American children suffer from sleep apnea. Symptoms in children include: more effort in breathing, hyperactivity, inattention, irritability, bed-wetting, morning headaches, and failure to grow and gain weight. A sleep test is the most common diagnosis method of sleep apnea. Treatment options vary depending upon the type and severity of each case.

Sleep apnea can lead to serious health effects if left untreated. By recognizing May 2013 as, “Sleep Apnea Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania we are promoting awareness of this disorder, while encouraging those who think they may have the disorder to seek medical treatment before they develop severe health problems.