Joining the list of disorders studied mostly in white men, yet
extrapolated to others, is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the
repeated occlusion or near-occlusion of the pharynx during
sleep. OSA might not actually be on the rise, but recognition of
it is, particularly in women. Because OSA is more common among
people with Parkinson disease, myotonic dystrophy, myasthenia
gravis, Alzheimer disease, and seizure disorders, neurology
patients may mention snoring, daytime sleepiness, or
inexplicable fatigue, not realizing it is a treatable condition
--or a condition at all. MDs and certain PhDs can earn
"certificates of special knowledge" from the American Board of
Sleep Medicine (www.absm.org). Not counting the most recent
certification exam, 2846 MDs and 147 PhDs are diplomats of the
organization. "About 40% of board-certified sleep specialists
are neurologists. After all, sleep is about the brain," said
Philip Westbrook, MD, chief medical officer of Advanced Brain
Monitoring of Carlsbad, CA. He is past president