Quarter of UAE residents suffer from sleep apnea

A fourth of the UAE population suffers from sleep apnea, or interrupted breathing during sleep. That’s according to medical experts who took part in a seminar in Dubai hosted by the UAE Ministry of Health. Sleep apnea mainly affects overweight males over the age of 40, and may lead to complications such as memory problems, sexual dysfunction and high blood pressure. Experts said the disorder could also lead to traffic accidents, as motorists who experience severe daytime sleepiness have trouble concentrating on the roads. The most common treatment for the condition is continuous air pressure by placing a mask on the patient’s face. Surgery is also an option.