In most instances, one negative health issue is accompanied by a mass of others. A perfect example: Those who suffer from sleep apnea, a condition in which one temporarily stops breathing during the night, may be directly at risk for liver problems, a study suggested.
While being overweight goes hand in hand with both conditions, researchers claim sleep apnea may directly cause liver disease; according to the study, overweight people with sleep apnea had a higher risk of disease than those without.
Making a Connection
Researchers examined more than 160 patients with fatty livers -- a clear sign of health trouble -- and found that many of them also suffered from sleep apnea. In fact:
Severe obstructive sleep apnea was found in 27 percent of the patients.
Fifty-two percent had moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea were more insulin resistant and likely to have liver damage than people of the same weight who didn't have the sleep disorder.
Moreover, aside from liver problems, sleep apnea has been linked to health conditions such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome (found to increase heart disease and diabetes risk).
BBC News May 27, 2005
Hepatology June 2005 41(6):1290-6
Sleep is one of the foundational basics in health. Typically, if you aren't sleeping well, you have a giant clue that something in your life is awry.
In the case of sleep apnea, there is a strong relationship to being overweight. So by applying the Total Health Program you can help to normalize your weight.
If your sleeping problems are related to something other than sleep apnea then I would strongly recommend you review the Guide to Getting a Good Night's Sleep, which is loaded with great ideas on how to address a sleeping problem.
I have been particularly impressed with the Insight Audio Cds, which provide a way to entrain your brainwaves to a slower rhythm. I have seen large numbers of patients resolve their insomnia by listening to the CDs. And the few who didn't were able to get a full refund from the company, so it seems like a reasonable solution if some of the other measures aren't working.
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