6 Celebrities Managing Their Sleep Apnea

The symptoms of untreated sleep apnea can be challenging to deal with. Sleep apnea results in a wide range of negative effects – including chronic fatigue, mood changes, irritability, and a lack of focus. If you have discovered that you have sleep apnea, you aren’t alone. Sleep apnea affects more than 20 million people across the country, and celebrities aren’t excluded. Here are some of the popular stars out there who have sleep apnea.

Randy Jackson

You might remember Randy Jackson as one of the American Idol judges for 12 seasons. He was diagnosed with sleep apnea with type two diabetes. Today, he claims to sleep better at night and feels more energetic after losing weight and seeking treatment.

William Shatner

William Shatner is another popular celebrity who has sleep apnea. To manage his condition, he uses a CPAP machine while he sleeps. CAPAP therapy works by continuously pushing air into the airway at pressure that is high enough to prevent it from collapsing and causing apnea. The pressurized air is administered through a mask that covers your mouth or nose, giving you the ability to breathe easily and sleep without frequent waking.

Rosie O’Donnell

Rosie O-Donnell is an American comedian, actress, author, and television personality. After undergoing a home sleep test, she learned that she has sleep apnea. After just a single night of CPAP treatment, she noticed a significant difference.

Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr is an American actress, comedian, writer, and television producer. These days, she is spending her time in Hawaii. Due to her snoring, her husband was having a difficult time staying asleep throughout the night. She ended up undergoing a sleep study and her doctor diagnosed her with sleep apnea. It was recommended that she begin CPAP therapy to manage her condition.

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal is considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Something that you might not know about him is that he has severe sleep apnea. He was first diagnosed with his condition after undergoing a Harward sleep study. In an interview, he noticed that he stops breathing 7 times per hour, causing him to wake up panting.

Amy Poehler

American actress, comedian, director, producer, and writer, Amy Poehler, was told that she snores so loud that it sounds like she is choking. When speaking about her CPAP machine, she said: “You know it’s food for you, but most of the time you don’t feel like it.”

Sleep apnea can affect anyone. If you have been experiencing symptoms, getting tested is a good idea. This way, you can work toward getting the restful sleep you need to thrive.

About the Author

Dr. Jonathan Held earned his dental doctorate from the Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha. Since then, he has completed more than 800 hours continuing education almost entirely focused on the field of sleep medicine. Currently, he is the only Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine in Northern Arizona. To learn more about sleep apnea treatment or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (928) 778-4555.