The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and…Gout?

Sleep sits at the center of our lives, which may be why not getting enough of it has been shown to carry broad health risks. Some of these include an elevated risk of stroke, mood disorders, even diminished IQ.

And now, there’s gout.

As a recent study helped illuminate, your blood chemistry is affected by recurring sleeplessness in ways we weren’t previously aware of:

After one year, compared with controls, people with sleep apnea were about 50 percent more likely to have had an attack of gout, and the increased risk was found without regard to sex, age or obesity.

This was an observational study, so it’s important to remember that we have no way of knowing whether apnea causes gout, or is simply associated with it. Either way, it is a troubling connection, and one which patients would be wise to consider when presented with options to reduce or eliminate sleep apnea in their lives.

My sinus surgery practice offers numerous interventions for obstructive sleep apnea, including nasal polyp removal, turbinate reduction, and nasal septum surgery. Feel free to call or write us today with any questions.