Term Life Insurance Quotes
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes disturbances in breathing while sleeping. Typically, an individual with sleep apnea will quit breathing during sleep for a time period, varying from a few seconds to a few minutes. The individual will then usually begin breathing again, occasionally with a snorting sound.
The disturbances often cause the person sleeping to come out of a deep sleep state into a lighter sleeping state, which can cause daytime drowsiness and even fatigue. People with this issue frequently are not aware until a family member or partner alerts them of the issue.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three kinds of sleep apnea to be aware of.
Central
With Central Sleep Apnea, your brain does not signal the body’s muscles that control your breathing. Typically, heart disease is the contributing factor.
Obstructive
A person with Obstructive Sleep Apnea experiences the air passage squeezed by an obstruction, like a large tongue, swollen tonsils, or just the closing of the soft tissue in the throat as your muscles relax.
Complex
Complex Sleep Apnea is a combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
Research indicates that sleep apnea is likely to occur in males and females without regard to age. Increased risks are likely to include:
- Being obese
- Having a neck that measures more than 17 inches
- People with a narrow airway
- Males who are 65 and older
- Having a family history of the disorder
- People taking sleeping aids or pills and drinking alcohol before sleeping
- Cigar or cigarette smoking
- Sitting for a long period of time
- Persons with heart disease
- Persons with high blood pressure (hypertension)
- People who have suffered from stroke or other brain conditions
Sleep Apnea Statistics
The CDC has published the following statistics that indicate the significance of sleep apnea:
four to nine percent of men who are middle aged
two to 4 percent of women who are middle aged
80 to 90 percent of people who have sleep apnea are not aware of it
Sleep Apnea Prevention and Treatment
- Most people with sleep apnea are treated effectively with a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device. A CPAP is a device that is worn while sleeping and maintains positive air flow by combating collapse of the throat.
- Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, stopping tobacco/alcohol use, and elimination of caffeine or sedatives may help.
- Some individuals undergo a procedure to remove surplus tissue from the soft palate to try to alleviate symptoms.
- Sleeping on the side of the body instead of the back is helpful for some.
What the Insurer Will Look For
Life insurance companies are interested that those with sleep apnea are taking the appropriate measures to keep it under control. The life insurance company will be looking particularly at:
- Current, favorable sleep review to prove that treatment is doing the job
- Current, favorable sleep review to prove that treatment is doing the job
- Current, favorable sleep review to prove that treatment is doing the jobGood reaction to treatment
- Repeated follow-ups with the doctor to be sure the C-PAP is working
- Related medical diagnosis or risk factor, such as elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, depression symptoms, stroke or being overweight
- No sleep-related collisions while driving
The rating class provided by insurers for applicants with sleep apnea will rely on the seriousness of the disorder, outcome of sleep studies, signs and symptoms, treatment, response and compliance with treatment, number of years since last symptoms, and the all-around health and mortality risk of the individual.
Unattended sleep apnea is often ranked poorly or may even be refused for coverage, as are individuals who have sleep apnea but do not abide by the doctor’s treatment instructions. The insurance company will be looking for evidence in the medical records that treatment advice is implemented and is effective.
Tips for Preparing for Your Insurance Application
Always follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations and make certain to complete follow-ups.
Schedule and complete a post-treatment study to have evidence treatment is successful.
Request current treatment notes from your doctor after each office visit.
Examples of Sleep Apnea Cases
When applying for insurance with sleep apnea, proof of successful treatment is key to getting a favorable health classification. In most life insurance applications, the problems will typically arise because the applicant has not completed or followed up after treatment.
There is Good News
The great news about applying for term life insurance if you have sleep apnea is — yes, you can probably get coverage! The bad news is the acceptance and rate class can be very unpredictable and very subjective. Then again, if you follow the recommendations we’ve offered and, more importantly, talk about your circumstances with your life insurance agent, you can have a very positive end result.
To get more information about purchasing life insurance with severe medical conditions, contact an insurance professional at LifeInsure.Com today at (866) 868-0099 during normal business hours, or you can contact us through our website 24/7.
Term Life Insurance Quotes
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