Excessive consumption of and smoking have become common companions of the modern weekend. Instead of relaxation, those who indulge often find themselves grappling with severe symptoms of obstructive .
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by complete cessation of breathing or a partial reduction in airflow due to the relaxation of the muscles in the back of the throat. This leads to the narrowing or closure of the airways. OSAS is most commonly found in older adults, as well as those who are overweight or obese.
Now, researchers from Flinders University in Australia have discovered that the severity of this condition increases on weekends. They suggest that this is linked to certain lifestyle factors, particularly alcohol and tobacco use, as well as disruptions in sleep patterns. The researchers have dubbed this phenomenon “social apnea,” as reported by The Guardian.
Weekend Syndrome
“People drink more on weekends. And if they smoke, they tend to do it more frequently during this time,” noted Professor Danny Eckert, a co-author of the study.
The university team highlighted that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome increases the risk of developing conditions such as stroke, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, as well as causing drowsiness, affecting relationships, and diminishing quality of life.
Eckert and his colleagues analyzed anonymous data from 70,052 individuals, most of whom were middle-aged men with . All participants had a sensor placed under their mattress that tracked heart rate, snoring, and apnea during sleep.
Upon analyzing the recordings, the researchers found that the likelihood of experiencing moderate to severe sleep apnea—defined as 15 or more breathing stoppages per hour—was 18 percent higher on Saturdays compared to Wednesdays. This effect was particularly pronounced in men around the age of 60. Additionally, going to bed later on weekends increased the likelihood of developing OSAS.
Ryan Chin Tau Chong, an otolaryngology consultant at Cleveland Clinic in London, emphasized that this is the first study of its kind to examine “the variability of severity throughout the week.” He agrees that smoking and alcohol consumption exacerbate apnea. In his view, “addressing these issues should be one of the first steps in combating OSAS.”
“With the best intentions, we can provide you with medical assistance. But if you are abusing alcohol or smoking, any actions taken by healthcare professionals will be just a drop in the ocean,” Chong remarked.
The study’s findings were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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