In the last 20 years, the importance of sleep has become more and more recognized as integral to our overall health. The reality is that sleep is just as important to our health as adequate nutrition and regular exercise. And while the quantity of sleep is important, the quality is even more important. It is believed by many that sleep disordered breathing (SDB) primarily affects men, the obese and those over 40, but in actuality, it has been shown to affect people of all ages, genders, body types and different health conditions.

The importance of quality sleep has now been directly correlated to the growing understanding that SDB is related to some of the most chronic, growing, deadly and costly diseases in the world such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and obesity. National Institutes of Health estimates that at least 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea (apnea is a Greek word that means “without breath”) and as many as 90% remained undiagnosed. Long term effects of poor sleep include an increased risk for: heart attack, strokes, decreased immune function, elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance, disruption of personal relationships, irritability, depression, motor vehicle accidents, and premature death. In fact, it is estimated that more accidents occur as a result of sleep apnea than as a result of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Most people with diabetes have sleep apnea. It is now estimated that more than half of all patients with type 2 diabetes could have the condition and as many as 86% of obese males. In addition, the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research says that tens of thousands of cardiovascular deaths annually are in some way related to sleep apnea.

Our mission and our strategy are to address and treat SDB to improve quality and length of life. Great service can also be done in combating huge in-patient and out-patient costs by treating the SDB that contributes to the severity and morbidity of chronic diseases. It is clear to us that we can not only reduce the carnage that SDB causes in the lives of many and help people feel better and function more efficiently, but help to reduce the burgeoning costs facing our healthcare system. We need to continue to raise the awareness both in the public and medical minds about the morbidity and mortality associated with undiagnosed SDB that could arguably be a major cause of premature death in the Western World.

Peter C. Farrell
Executive Chairman