Heath Ledger Update

Two weeks later, and I’ve yet to see one thoughtful discussion about what underlying sleep problems might have contributed to his insomnia and ultimately to his demise. On the one hand, the severe insomnia he appeared to suffer from as described in the tabloids would almost suggest bipolar or a manic-like experience. On the other hand, there is no discussion as to whether he was known to suffer any sleep breathing symptoms.

Tens of thousands of people take too many drugs to sleep at various times in their experiences with medications. The vast majority do not die! What distinguishes those who do not survive? The two most likely candidates are a breathing problem or a cardiac arrhythmia, the latter perhaps brought on by a breathing disorder that drops oxygenation to critically low levels.

The other questions that should have been asked are where did he get the pills, and did any of his prescribing physicians ever refer him to a sleep specialist?

“He just kept saying that nothing he tried helped him sleep…”

Do you think someone should have taken Heath Ledger’s sleep complaints seriously? Based on the multiple drugs that allegedly caused his overdose, I doubt anyone took his sleep problems seriously!