Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious sleep disorder causing people to stop breathing for brief intervals during sleep. It can cause extreme exhaustion, threats to heart health, and other dangerous complications if left untreated. It’s important to understand OSA so that you can recognize the signs and get it treated.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
OSA occurs when the muscles in your throat relax too much while you are sleeping, blocking airflow through your nose and mouth. This blockage causes pauses in breathing which can last from 10 seconds up to minutes at a time. People with OSA will wake up out of breath multiple times throughout the night or have loud snoring.
Risk Factors of OSA
There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of developing OSA, including being overweight or obese, having large tonsils and tongues, smoking, drinking alcohol, and even having certain anatomical features such as a narrow airway. Men are more likely to suffer from OSA than women.
Signs and Symptoms of OSA
The hallmark signs of OSA are loud snoring and interruptions in breathing during sleep. Other symptoms include daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, morning headaches, mood changes or irritability, dry mouth upon waking up, frequent trips to the bathroom at night, and chest pain. Some people with OSA may have other issues, such as high blood pressure or heart problems.
Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea
If you think you may have OSA, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask questions about your sleep habits and medical history. They may also suggest tests such as an overnight sleep study or polysomnogram (PSG) to monitor your breathing and sleeping patterns.
Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Once diagnosed with OSA, the most common form of treatment is using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which delivers pressurized air through a mask while you are asleep. Other treatments include lifestyle changes such as weight loss, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and changing sleeping positions. Oral devices may also be used to keep your airway open. In some cases, surgery may be recommended.
Conclusion
Left untreated, OSA can lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and even death. It’s important to understand the signs and risk factors of OSA so you can get the right treatment if needed. If you think you may have OSA, see a doctor right away for proper diagnosis and treatment.
