Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, including celebrities. Despite their fame and success, many well-known figures have openly shared their struggles to raise awareness and help others understand that this condition doesn’t discriminate. By speaking out, they’ve helped normalize conversations around sleep health and the importance of treatment. In this post, you’ll find discussion about what sleep apnea is and celebrities who have suffered from it.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. It can lead to shallow breathing or even complete pauses in breathing, which can last a few seconds to minutes. Symptoms include loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, waking up with a gasp or choking, and morning headaches.
The most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), caused by a blockage or collapse of the upper airway during sleep. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain doesn’t send the signals needed to breathe, while Complex Sleep Apnea is a combination of OSA and CSA.
Celebrities with Sleep Apnea
Shaquille O’Neal
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has been a vocal advocate for sleep apnea awareness. He was diagnosed after undergoing a sleep study at Harvard Medical School, which was featured in a public service campaign. Shaq’s willingness to openly discuss his condition helped highlight how sleep apnea can affect even elite athletes. Today, he uses a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine to manage his symptoms and encourages others to take their sleep health seriously.
Amy Poehler
The comedienne and star of shows like “Parks and Recreation” says she has always been told that she snores loudly. Poehler uses a CPAP machine to combat sleep apnea symptoms. “You know it’s good for you,” she said of the device, “but most of the time you don’t feel like it.” Even famous people don’t always want to do what’s good for them!
Rosie O’Donnell
Comedian and actress Rosie O’Donnell has also struggled with sleep apnea. She has spoken in interviews about her reliance on a CPAP machine to get a restful night’s sleep. Her experience underscores how untreated sleep apnea can contribute to other serious health issues, such as high blood pressure and heart disease, conditions she has faced as well.
William Shatner
Famed “Star Trek” actor William Shatner has publicly acknowledged living with sleep apnea. He credits his CPAP machine with improving his sleep quality and overall health. Now in his 90s, Shatner continues to advocate for sleep apnea awareness, especially among older adults who may not realize they are at risk.
Randy Jackson
The former “American Idol” judge has faced multiple health challenges, including type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea. Randy Jackson has been open about how lifestyle changes and medical treatment, including the use of a CPAP machine, helped him regain control over his health. His journey shows how interconnected sleep apnea can be with other health conditions.
Although certain groups, like men, seniors over 65, and the overweight, are more likely to struggle with sleep apnea, it can affect people of all walks of life. The fact that celebrities, many of whom have access to top-tier healthcare, also struggle with the condition highlights how common and underdiagnosed it can be. Symptoms like loud snoring, daytime fatigue, and interrupted breathing during sleep shouldn’t be ignored.
About the Practice
Here at SleepMed Solutions, we can treat your sleep apnea at a combined medical and dental sleep clinic. We have features unique to our practice and can do more than just oral appliances. We offer a full array of sleep apnea services, including take-home testing and analysis, and we accept many insurance plans and have financing available as well. Schedule your appointment today through our website or call our Greensboro office at (336) 907-7773.