Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is when a person stops breathing during sleep because his or her airway collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs.
What causes the airway to collapse during sleep?
Several factors that can contribute to airway collapse are:
How many people have OSA?
Statistics reveal that:
Symptoms
There are some easy-to-identify signs and symptoms associated with OSA.
- Do you snore?
- Do you choke or gasp for breath while you sleep?
- Has anyone told you that you stop breathing during sleep?
- Have you ever nodded off or fallen asleep while driving a vehicle?
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, you may suffer from OSA.
Additional symptoms include morning headache, difficulty concentrating, depression, irritability, memory loss and sexual dysfunction.
Additional symptoms include morning headache, difficulty concentrating, depression, irritability, memory loss and sexual dysfunction.
What happens if OSA is not treated?
People who do not seek diagnosis and effective treatment for OSA can be at an increased risk for:
What treatments are available for OSA?
The most common treatment is: CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) pronounced see-PAP. CPAP equipment treats OSA by providing a gentle flow of positive-pressure air through a nasal mask to keep the airway open during sleep.
What is CPAP Therapy?
- Breathing becomes regular and snoring stops
- Oxygen level in the blood becomes normal
- Restful sleep is restored
- Quality of life is improved
- Risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and vehicular or work accidents is reduced
Less Common treatments include surgery and oral appliances. These treatments may be effective in certain individuals.
All treatments should include lifestyle modifications, such as, weight loss, if needed, exercise, sufficient hours of sleep and avoidance of alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics and tobacco.
Treatment of sleep apnea requires commitment to using the therapy regularly if the greatest benefits are to be recognized. Therapy is often more successful when you understand the disorder and the importance of regularly using the prescribed treatment. The more you know about your disorder, the easier it will be to discuss with your doctor any problems you may experience.