DMD Could Be Related To Sleep Apnea

For patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, or DMD, new research has emerged that persons suffering from this condition are at an elevated risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This news is especially concerning for children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Children make up most of the DMD cases in America, with an estimated 20,000 new cases of the illness diagnosed each year. Most cases are discovered between the ages of 3 and six years old.The research comes from a Saudi Arabian sleep study from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and was presented at the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine annual meeting, which recently took place in Nashville, TN. Patients with DND were also found to be more likely to snore, with 29 percent reporting snoring at least half the time. Other sleep-related symptoms include daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and general difficulty breathing during both sleep and waking hours. The research highlights the importance of not just screening Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy for traditional sleep apnea symptoms, but for sleep apnea as well. If you suffer from DMD, it’s a good idea to pay attention to your sleep habits. Have someone monitor you for snoring, or for signs of sleep apnea. Signs of sleep apnea include: