Recently, the Los Angeles County Coroners Office ruled that a 33 year old rapper named Pimp C, (real name Chad Butler) died of a combination of sleep apnea and excess cold medications.

As a Doctor that treats sleep disorders like apnea and snoring, I am saddened to hear of another death like this young man that could have potentially been treated and he’d still be alive.

When football legend Reggie White passed away with complications related to sleep apnea, it was shocking that it could happen to someone so young. Once again a young life is lost to a health condition that is easily treated. My hope is that Pimp C’s untimely death can help others and bring attention to bringing this medical condition under control.I am not his doctor, nor would I want to second guess his treatment, however many people who get diagnosed are prescribed a piece of equipment called a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. This machine is somewhat bulky, noisy, has a mask that makes you look like Darth Vader and doesn’t help your love life. Many patients simply don’t use it because of those reasons.

On top of that, once it is prescribed, many times there is no real follow up with patients and they just “fall through the cracks” of ongoing successful treatment. These patients become what we refer to as CPAP intolerant. I don’t know how Mr. Butler was being treated and whether CPAP was prescribed. But the point is this: if he was actively using CPAP or an oral device like I recommend during his sleep he may still be alive.

Normally, when people with sleep apnea stop breathing they have a reflex that wakes them up. This is why many patients are so tired in the morning. They snore, stop breathing, wake up, and fall back to sleep. This never allows them to enter into restorative REM sleep. Perhaps the medications just kept Pimp C from waking up.The critical point being missed in all of the discussion of Mr. Butlers medical condition is the underlying fact that the cause of sleep apnea needs to be addressed and treated.

Obstructive sleep apnea is about an actual obstruction that stops you from breathing. The biggest obstruction is your tongue in the majority of the cases. If treatment does not address the tongue, then you are not really getting treated.

There are 18 million people with sleep apnea and many more who are undiagnosed. I would hope that anyone that snores, or is CPAP intolerent would at least take the time to get help. It could save your life.

Share This