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Spanish researchers have found a link between sleep apnea (the tendency to stop breathing for periods of time while sleeping) and an increased risk of death from stroke. They found a direct link between the severity of the sleep apnea and the likelihood of stroke-related death.
In Oriental Medicine, sleep apnea is almost always accompanied by Lung Dampness. Dampness, in turn, becomes Phlegm in more advanced stages. This Phlegm is a kind of thickening of the fluids in the body that creates obstruction and resistance to normal physiological functioning at multiple levels. So, not only is breathing impacted, but other functions such as circulation, joints, digestion, etc. can be involved.
Strokes are primarily categorized in Oriental Medicine as Wind-Phlegm. In this case, the Phlegm reaches a point where it obstructs the orifices of the Heart - i.e. the sense organs, causing unconsciousness, impaired nerve function and in extreme cases death.
Posted by DrBruce at July 27, 2004 05:41 AM