Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - At the 2011 American Urological Association's annual meeting in Washington, DC, a study was done of 870 men with an average age of 47.3 years. Health screening revealed 63% of men had sleep apnea.

After adjusting for their age and other health conditions (like diabetes, obesity, and smoking status), researchers found that those men with erectile dysfunction were more than twice as likely to have sleep apnea than those without erectile dysfunction. The more severe the erectile dysfunction, the greater the likelihood of having sleep apnea.

Most people with sleep apnea do not know they have the disorder, that it can cause erectile dysfunction, or other health effects.

Characterized by a strong and irregular snore, apnea is marked by several cessations of breathing in at least ten seconds during sleep. In one night, dozens of events can occur. With the interruption of breathing, brief awakening occurs. The person goes from a deeper stage of sleep to a lighter and less refreshing one. In addition to being naturally more tired and lethargic, those who have the disorder end up with more chance of developing not only erectile dysfunction, but cardiovascular disease and other illness. Impotence is just one more item in this package.

According to Monica Andersen, a professor at UNIFESP (Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil) and researcher at the Sleep Institute, the relationship between sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction is evident, but the specific factors that contribute to it are not yet well understood. "As a hemodynamic phenomenon [connected to the circulation of blood in the vessels] erection depends on the integrity of the tissues, as well as psychological factors. Any change In these components, further altered by sleep apnea, can lead to erectile dysfunction," she says.

Moreover, there are studies that link sex to impotence reduced levels of male hormones caused by sleep apnea. This level reduction may be in testosterone due to age, excess weight, beside other factors like hypoxia [lower rates of oxygen in arterial blood or tissues] and sleep fragmentation.

Researchers have also noted that people with sleep apnea normally have other risk factors - such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes - that can cause erectile dysfunction, actually the combination of many factors.

Diagnosing and treating sleep apnea is critical to successfully managing a person's health so if you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, find a professional and have an over-night study performed. It could change your life, and potentially save it.

Wellness begins with a good night sleep.

PV Sleep Well specializes in testing for sleep apnea. We are also a supplier of CPAP equipment, available for sale or rent, and accessories. For additional information or to schedule a screening contact info(at)pvsleepwell.com.

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Visit PVSleepWell.com to learn more about sleep apnea, the solutions that are available and the services they offer, then contact PVSleepWell and take the first step to a better night’s sleep, to a better life! PVSleepWell can be reached in Puerto Vallarta at 52-322-117-2255 or by emailing Info(at)PVSleepWell.com.

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