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Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

The Dark Side of Night

What you should know about sleep apnea

What is Obstuctive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

• OSA is when a person stops breathing repeatedly during sleep
• Breathing stops (apnea) because the airway collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs.
• Sleep patterns are disrupted, and the oxygen level in the blood decreases due to apnea.

What causes the airway to collapse during sleep?

• Extra tissue in the back of the throat such as large tonsils or uvula
• Abnormal jaw or facial structure such as a recessed chin
• Decrease in the tone of the muscles holding the airway open

How many people have Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

• 4 in 100 middle-aged men and 2 in 100 middle-aged women have OSA
• OSA is as comman as adult asthma
• Most OSA sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated

What happens if Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not treated?

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease and heart attack
• Stroke
• Fatigue-related motor vehicle and work accidents
• Decreased quality of life

Symptoms  (If you or someone you know has the following signs or symptoms, obstructive sleep apnea may be the cause.)

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Snoring, choking, gasping, or pauses in breathing during sleep Recurrent awakening from sleep
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Daytime Fatigue
• Trouble concentrating

Additional signs and symptoms include morning headaches, depression, irritability, memory loss and sexual dysfunction.

People most likely to have or develop OSA may have any of the following:

• Obesity, especially in the upper body
• Male gender
• Small upper airway due to excess throat tissue or abnormal jaw structure
• Nasal obstruction
• High blood pressure
• Family history of OSA

What should you do if you suspect you may have OSA?

• See your doctor; evaluation by a doctor specializing in sleep disorders is recommended.
• Have a sleep study done. An overnight sleep study can provide the doctor with information about how you sleep and breathe. This information will help the doctor to determine your diagnosis and treatment options.

What is the treatment for OSA?

• CPAP(Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). Other less common treatments include surgery and oral apppliances, which may be effective in certain individuals.
• Any treatments should include weight loss, if needed, exercise, sufficient hours of sleep and avoidance of alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics and tobacco.

How does CPAP therapy work?  (CPAP treats OSA by providing a gentle flow of positive-pressure air through a nasal mask to splint the airway open during sleep.)

• 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 motor vehicle and work accidents is reduced.

OSA is a serious, potentially life-altering and life-threatening condition that is:

• Easily identified
• Effectively treated