Blogs > Sleeping with CPAP

Assistant News Editor Lee Dryden was diagnosed with sleep apnea and uses a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine to assist with breathing while sleeping. From a layman’s point of view, he will discuss the benefits, issues, challenges and frustrations of sleeping while wearing a mask.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Sleep apnea to blame for Rick Perry's debate gaffe

  OK, the political season is over, but indulge me to revisit the presidential campaign one last time.
  No, Obama and Romney didn't take stances for or against sleep apnea.
  This goes back to last year when Texas Gov. Rick Perry was among the GOP candidates debating at Oakland University, right in my backyard.
  Perry infamously had a gaffe for all time when he stumbled to name all the federal agencies he wanted to eliminate. We've all had moments like that (on a smaller stage) and anyone with any sort of decency felt sorry for him, politics aside.
  Since it is included in this blog, you can probably guess where this is going.
  Perry was suffering from sleep apnea, according to a new book about the campaign by Jay Root, and was struggling with insomnia, as reported in The Huffington Post.
  Ensuing tests showed Perry had been undiagnosed for years, possibly decades. Reports indicate he is now receiving treatment.
  A couple quick lessons here:
  1. Sleep apnea impacts your daily life. Interrupted breathing means interrupted sleep, which translates into forgetfulness during the day.
  2.  Rick Perry is not obese, or even overweight. Apnea can affect anyone, not just larger people as is often believed.
  So get tested if you suspect you may have sleep apnea. Don't wait until you are on a national stage someday.