Oxygen therapy 'may reduce stroke likelihood'
Oxygen therapy could be an effective method for sleep apnoea sufferers to reduce their likelihood of having a stroke.
According to the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, individuals with the disorder are at much greater risk of experiencing the ailment.
The source cited a New England Journal of Medicine study that showed strong evidence linking sleep apnoea and strokes.
A person's breathing who has the condition is interrupted more than 15 times every hour, which reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood - in turn decreasing the levels of oxygen reaching the brain, the report explained.
This could result in the narrowing of the arteries leading to the organ, which can lead to clotting and therefore a stroke.
Another association between poor sleep patterns and stroke victims is the prevalence of high blood pressure in those who do not gain enough snooze time, the research added.
It was recently reported rally driver Guy Wilks is using oxygen equipment to help him recover from crash injuries.
Posted by James Worrall
14/06/2010 15:09:57
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