Is sleep apnea a real problem, or is the doctor trying to scam me?

[Steve]

My doctor, who's new because I moved, referred me to a "sleep specialist" because I told him I snored heavily, am often tired during the day, and am overweight. The sleep specialist, after having me sleep with a bunch of wires strapped to me for a night, diagnosed me with "obstructive sleep apnea", and is telling me I need a breathing machine for when I sleep at night as treatment. Also, he's told me all sorts of stuff about health risks from the apnea: I'll get to being fatigued to the point of narcolepsy, I'm at even more risk for an early heart attack, even though I've started going to the gym I won't be able to lose weight, etc.

Now, what I want to know is, are there really health risks from sleep apnea, and is it a real problem, or is it just some sort of medical fad or scam?

[Sunny-USA]

It's very real.
A few of my family members have it. One had to use a breathing machine when he slept at night. He also had a mouth piece made, throat surgery, & finally lost weight. He said losing weight is what ended up helping the most.
Do what your Dr. says. & try to lose weight. That will help with the apnea.