Sleep apnea complicated by whiplash?

[MikeO74]

I have recently been in a rear end auto accident and am curious if it is possible that the injuries involved with having whiplash can complicate or worsen sleep apnea?  I have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea but have all the symptoms, loud snoring,snorts that awaken me as well as endless fatigue. Since the accident I find myself even more tired and sleep more disturbed which concerns me. Any medical advice would be appreciated.

[rokapt]

In OCT.'12 i had a motorbike accident, i suffered a strong Concussion that caused to me a strong headache for 3 days, also i suffered a Whiplash, some injuries on bottom of the Spinal and shortly after this accident was diagnosed a Severe Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea. I never had any kind of Sleep Disturbances or Sleep Apnea before this accident, then i would like to know if this issue can be linked with this motorbike accident?

[truth462]

I too have recently been in a car accident.  I was rear ended and suffered from whiplash.  I also literally came down with Sleep Apnea right after the accident.  For a long time I was confused about what was going on.  Then after going to a sleep study, the tech verified for me that he has come across many other patients who suffered from Sleep Apnea after whiplash.  What he said was that the Pharynx closes up because of the swelling in the neck.  Ironically the doctor himself did not want to acknowledge such a connection.  The effects are especially true in a horizontal position when asleep & relaxed. This is when the flap in the throat that causes snoring becomes most affected.  Made all the sense in the world.  Pretty darn simple actually.  

What is alarming is that the insurance companies probably don't want this to get out either because it would cause a significant rise in claims to one of the most common accident injuries.   The doctors also don't want to stick their neck out either because they would end up having to testify and most do NOT want to spend time in court.   I personally think its cowardly and illegal because patients are not being properly diagnosed.  

So yes, whiplash can even cause sleep apnea.  Certainly further study is needed for the condition, a proactive honest doctor could conduct a groundbreaking study if he/she chooses to.  That is if integrity guides him/her.  

[jenni49]

i have the same problem and i am already on a cpap machine

[mandreckmina]

http://www.sleepapnea-treatment.org

[mandreckmina]

I think You should go for the CPAP treatment as the sleep apnea treatment. It will help you a lot as reccommended by the doctor as the best treatment.  http://www.sleepapnea-treatment.org