What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a situation in which breathing process in the human body stops grudgingly for prolonged period during sleep. the particular period when breathing stops is, in medical terms, know as apnea or apneic episodes. During the process of OSA, the normal flow of air is frequently halted throughout the sleep. The main cause of halted flow of air is, the airway space in the throat is too narrow. Obstructive Sleep Apnea subsequently causes snoring when the airflow being obstructively passing through the narrowed airway space. 

Are there any diagnosis for obstructive sleep apnea?

In order to track how many times your breathing was impaired during sleep, the physician will ask about your sleep. You may also require to undergo a sleep study done at your house or at sleep lab. And, the following things will be monitored: 

1. Eye movements 

2. Air flow 

3. Blood oxygen levels 

4. Breathing patterns 

5. Electrical activity of the brain 

6. Heart rate 

7. Muscle activity

What are the causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is more likely to affect the people in their old age and people who are overweight. Various researches have shown that weight loss causes significant improvement in Sleep Apnea symptoms. Sleeping on the backside can provoke the chances of sleep apnea to happen. 

Weight and obesity, associated with soft tissue of the mouth and throat, is the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. The soft tissue can cause the airway to become blocked during sleep, when throat and tongue muscles are more relaxed. But many other factors also are associated with the condition in adults. 

In children, enlarged tonsils or adenoids and dental conditions such as a large overbite are considered to be some of the main causes of obstructive sleep apnea. A tumor or growth in the airway, and birth defects such as Down syndrome and Pierre-Robin syndrome are also stretches the list as less common cause. Syndrome causes enlargement of the tongue, adenoids and tonsils and there is decreased muscle tone in the upper airway. Although childhood obesity may cause obstructive sleep apnea, it's much less commonly associated with the condition than adult obesity. 

If left untreated obstructive sleep apnea can lead to serious complications, including cardiovascular disease, accidents, and premature death, regardless of age. So appropriate medical evaluation is important that anyone with signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea -- especially loud snoring and repeated nighttime awakenings followed by excessive daytime sleepiness.

What are the symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea may result in the decreased oxygen supply to the brain and other body parts. In addition, poor sleep quality causes daytime drowsiness and lack of clarity in the morning. People suffering with sleep apnea may experience such symptoms: 

1. Loud snoring 

2. Gasping for air during sleep 

3. Awakening with a dry mouth 

4. Morning headache 

5. Difficulty staying asleep 

6. Excessive daytime sleepiness 

7. Irritability 

8. Headaches 

9. Feeling disgruntled 

10. Forgetfulness 

11. Drowsiness 

12. Worsening depression 

13. Loss of interest in sex

What are the treatments of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Here are some of the most commonly used treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: 

1. Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills 

2. Sleeping on your side, if you only get mild sleep apnea when you sleep on your back. 

3. Weight loss, if needed 

4. Nasal sprays, if nasal congestion make it inconvenient to breathe while you sleep. 

5. CPAP machine. It includes a mask that a person wears over the nose or mouth, or both. An air blower forces uninterrupted air through the nose or mouth.

Who Is at Risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea increases if you have conditions or features that narrow the upper airway. Risk factors of Obstructive Sleep Apnea include: 

1. Children with large tonsils and adenoids 

2. Men with a collar size of 17 inches or more 

3. Women with a collar size of 16 inches or more 

4. Large tongue, which can block the airway.