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Research Finds Appealing To Vanity Gets Patients To Comply With Treatment

DETROIT (WWJ) - Doctors often warn that not treating sleep apnea raises the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Now they're using another approach - vanity.

WWJ Health Reporter Sean Lee reports that University of Michigan researchers had a panel of observers rated the facial appearance of 20 middle-aged sleep apnea patients before and after they started C-PAP treatment.

Lead researcher, Dr. Ronald Chervin says after treatment, patients looked more alert, more youthful and more attractive.

"There was less swelling in the forehead after treatment and the other thing that changed was that the amount of redness in the cheeks went down," said Dr. Chervin.

Doctor Chervin hopes the findings will motivate sleep apnea patients to stick with treatment.

"How they look and how they see themselves looking in the mirror and how their friends and loved ones perceive that they are looking may provide a more immediate and constant reminder to use that machine every night," Dr. Chervin said.

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