Sleep apnea is a challenging disorder to deal with. It can result in a wide range of negative effects – like chronic fatigue, mood changes, irritability, and a lack of focus. If you’ve recently learned that you have sleep apnea, you aren’t on your own. Sleep apnea affects more than 20 million people throughout the country, and celebrities aren’t excluded from that number. Here are some of the popular stars out there who have sleep apnea.
Randy Jackson
You may remember Randy Jackson as one of the American Idol judges for 12 seasons. He was diagnosed with sleep apnea and type two diabetes. Today, he claims to sleep better at night and feel more energetic after losing weight and seeking treatment.
William Shatner
William Shatner is another popular celebrity who has sleep apnea. To manage his condition, he uses a CPAP machine while he sleeps. CPAP therapy works by continuously pushing air into the airway at a pressure that is high enough to prevent it from collapsing and causing apnea. The pressurized air is administered through a mask that covers your mouth or nose, giving you the ability to breathe easily and sleep without constantly waking.
Roseanne Barr
Roseanne Barr is an American actress, comedian, writer, and television producer. These days, she is spending her time in Hawaii. Due to her snoring, her husband was having a difficult time staying asleep throughout the night. She ended up undergoing a sleep study where her doctor diagnosed her with sleep apnea. It was recommended that she begin CPAP therapy to manage her condition.
Rosie O’Donnell
Rosie O’Donnell is an American comedian, actress, author, and television personality. After undergoing a home sleep test, she learned that she has sleep apnea. After just a single night of CPAP therapy, she noticed a world of difference!
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Something that you may not know about him is that he has severe sleep apnea. He was first diagnosed with the condition after undergoing a Harvard sleep study. In an interview, he stated that he stops breathing 72 times per hour, causing him to awaken panting.
Amy Poehler
American actress, comedian, director, producer, and writer, Amy Poehler, was told that she snores so loud that it sounds like she’s choking. When speaking about her CPAP machine, she said, “You know it’s good for you but most of the time you don’t feel like it.”
Sleep apnea can affect anyone. If you have been experiencing symptoms, getting tested is a good idea. This way, you can work to get the quality sleep you need to thrive during the day!
About the Author
Dr. Jeff Rodgers has been in private practice for over two decades! He is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) and the American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA). He is a board-certified expert in sleep and is committed to raising awareness of sleep issues and oral appliance therapy. To learn more about sleep apnea or to schedule an appointment at his office in Dunwoody, visit his website or call (770) 394-4310.