Pathology of the Stars: Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal diagnosed with Sleep Apnea
How do you make the diagnosis of Sleep Apnea?
Clinical symptoms and polysomnogram ("sleep study").
What are the cardinal clinical symptoms of sleep apnea?
What is the most common form?
Obstructive sleep apnea.
What are some of the physiologic effects?
1. Chronic hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction leading to:
=> Pulmonary hypertension
=> right ventricular hypertrophy, seen as a right-axis deviation on EKG
=> cor pulmonale
2. Hypoxemia (low arterial PO2), which causes
=> renal release of erythropoietin
=> Polycythemia
3. Repeated arousals interferes with REM sleep
=> Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnolence)
=> Decreased attentiveness and concentration
=> Increased risk of work-related and motor vehicle accidents
What are some treatments for obstructive sleep apnea?
1. Lifestyle modifications
- Weight loss
- Sleeping on the side
- Avoiding alcohol, sleeping medications, and muscle relaxants
- Smoking cessation.
2. Oral appliances = a custom-fit mouthpiece to maintain airway patency
3. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
- Most common treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea.
4. Surgical procedures
What is a major side effect of sleep apnea in basketball players such as Shaq?
Clearly it must be the inability to make free throws! 
Video Source: Harvard Medical School
Tags: Sleep Apnea, Shaquille O'Neal
Copyright (c) 2011 John Barone MD. All rights reserved.
