Most people perceive sleep apnea as a common medical condition. However, the condition is far from that, and you never know when it will morph into a life-threatening disorder.
A lot of people have passed on owing to this disorder, even some of the world’s most revered icons. Their tragic, sudden deaths remind all of us of the danger of sleep apnea. The article tries to dig into the lives of such celebrities who died from sleep apnea, giving us the wake-up call that the disease needs more awareness.
What is sleep apnea?
It is important to familiarize ourselves with sleep apnea and learn, on our own, what it comprises. Sleep apnea is a condition where one’s breathing stops and starts involuntarily multiple times while the person is sleeping. The most common form of Sleep Apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. In this type of sleep apnea, the muscles in the throat relax inconsistently, blocking the air passage that travels to the lungs. In further complicated cases, this may lead to fatal heart conditions, stroke, or high blood pressure.
Celebrities Who Died From Sleep Apnea
Now, let’s talk about some famous personalities whose stars burnt out, perishing under the shadow of sleep apnea.
Carrie Fisher: The Galaxy Lost Its Princess
Carrie Fisher was perhaps one of the liveliest personas one would think of from Hollywood—Princess Leia in Star Wars. She was 60 when she let out her last breath and departed from Earth in 2016. Her cause of death was mainly said to be sleep apnea coupled with a few other underlying health issues.
The world was left in a stage of mourning, with her death raising awareness of the deadly potential that untreated sleep apnea holds. It’s quite unfortunate that such a condition could take the life of such an influential person who, by all standards, was very healthy. It was a strong reminder through her story that sleep apnea is no respecter by any means; it can afflict anyone, no matter the status or health of an individual.
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Jerry Garcia: Music Loses a Legend
Jerry Garcia, who ruled the music world, is another fatal victim of sleep apnea. The legendary guitarist died at the age of 53 in 1995. He had a heart attack that was mainly a complicated outcome of sleep apnea.
When reporters announced his death, the music world was shaken by the great loss. Garcia’s case testified that taking care of sleep apnea conditions, mainly when combined with other health risks, is very necessary.
John Candy: A Comedic Genius Taken Too Soon
John Candy, the actor and comedian who is known for his roles in shows such as Uncle Buck, Planes and more, is also a victim to Sleep Apnea. He died at the young age of 43 due to a heart attack. This cardiac arrest was also an outcome of sleep apnea.
His grim fate resounds to show the dangers of sleep apnea that could arise, particularly in situations where its symptoms are left unchecked.
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Amanda Peterson: A Young Life Cut Short
A lot of us have watched the classic 1980s movie Can’t Buy Me Love. The young actress of the film, Amanda Peterson, lost her life in 2015. She was only 43 years old at the time of her death. Sleep apnea was the killer behind her life.
Amanda Peterson died prematurely, which sets forth in front of us the fact that sleep apnea may result in death even among apparently young and healthy individuals.
The Dangers of Ignoring Sleep Apnea
The essence of these celebrity stories is to portray one very important message: that sleep apnea is not simply a disorder to be considered trite. In other words, it could mean gross health complications if the symptoms are overlooked, while in some cases, it could even result in death. Here are a few dangers associated with untreated sleep apnea:
- High Blood Pressure: The constant recurring of apnea while in sleep causes elevated blood pressure levels. High blood pressure is one of the primary causes of heart attack and stroke.
- Heart Disease: As mentioned before, elevated blood pressure levels always pose a threat of cardiac arrest at any given point in time.
- Fatigue: Due to poor quality of sleep, excessive testiness while working during the day becomes practically impossible.
- Diminished Quality of Life: The combination of health risks coupled with fatigue can deeply impact the overall quality of life.
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Common Sleep Apnea Myths
Despite the seriousness of sleep apnea, many people avoid getting help due to various myths. Let us debunk a few of these myths:
Myth: Only men are prey to sleep Apnea
Reality: Sleep Apnea has a tendency to be more prevalent in men. However, that doesn’t mean women are exempt from it. Symptoms in women are often much more subtle than in men and, hence, often go undiagnosed until much later.
Thus, as one can see, not getting tested for sleep apnea while there is time in hand can be deadly. Sleep Apnea is a dangerous condition that requires monitoring and effective treatment to avoid health complications.
Identifying Symptoms and Seeking Treatment
If you suspect that you have symptoms of sleep apnea or a loved one is suggesting similar symptoms, that needs medical attention. Here are some common symptoms of sleep apnea:
- Chronic/persistent loud snoring
- Pauses in breath while sleeping
- Gasping for air while asleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Sleeping and driving difficulties
Diagnosis includes sleep studies and polysomnography. Treatment may entail lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure, or surgery in rare cases.
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Conclusion
It’s a serious condition not to be trifled with. The tragic losses of celebrities Carrie Fisher, Jerry Garcia, John Candy, and Amanda Peterson really put a face on the possible results of untreated sleep apnea. If you or someone in your circle is suffering from symptoms, don’t wait—get medical advice and take steps to manage it. Your health depends upon it.
It is awareness and sleep apnea awareness that will help in the prevention of further tragedies and betterment of living in people suffering from this condition.
