FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Katie Blyth, L.C. Williams & Associates, 312-565-3900, kblyth@lcwa.com

DARIEN, IL – The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) fully supports Tuesday’s announcement by the American Medical Association (AMA) that it has adopted a policy recognizing obesity as a disease requiring a range of medical interventions to advance treatment and prevention.

Obesity is a significant risk factor for sleep-related disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – which may result in further complications like hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and excessive daytime sleepiness. These complications may severely impact quality of life among sufferers and even lead to death.

Obese patients with symptoms of a sleep illness, such as loud and frequent snoring, should be evaluated by a board certified sleep medicine physician, who will oversee their diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate treatment. In conjunction with obesity interventions, proper treatment of a sleep illness can dramatically improve overall health.

About The American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Established in 1975, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is the leader in setting standards and promoting excellence in sleep medicine. With nearly 10,000 members, the AASM is the largest professional membership society for physicians, scientists and other health care providers dedicated to sleep medicine. For more information, visit www.aasm.org.