Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common respiratory disorder that occurs during sleep. People who suffer from OSA repeatedly stop breathing during their sleep, leading to serious health concerns. Patients experience excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and impaired concentration.
The most common cause of OSA is difficulty in breathing during sleep. It occurs when the upper throat muscles relax and block the airway, making it difficult or impossible to breathe. This stoppage or difficulty in breathing is apnea, which results in snoring, gasping, or choking during sleep.
Other possible causes include obesity, long soft palate, small jaw, large tongue, and other anatomical factors.
The following are the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea:
Who is at risk?
OSA is a condition that affects men and women of all ages. The most common risk factor is obesity. Obstructive sleep apnea is vulnerable in those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Other risk factors include large neck size, family history of OSA, allergies, and sedative use.
How is obstructive sleep apnea diagnosed?
Polysomnography is the gold standard for diagnosing OSA. It is a medical test that measures brain waves and sleep patterns to identify any irregularities. In polysomnography, sensors are attached to the patient to monitor their breath, heart rate, oxygen level, and leg movement during sleep at an ENT specialist clinic or hospital.
What is the best way of obstructive sleep apnea treatment?
There are two primary forms of treatment: lifestyle changes and medical therapy.
Weight loss, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption before bedtime, and side sleeping instead of on the back are examples of lifestyle improvements.
Medical therapy is usually the first treatment for OSA. Sleep apnea snoring treatment includes wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which helps keep the airway open, or oral appliances that reposition the jaw or tongue to prevent an airway collapse.
How to prevent obstructive sleep apnea?
It is essential to have a healthy lifestyle and good habits like eating well, exercising, and maintaining an average weight to avoid the development of OSA.
It is essential to be aware that everyone snores from time to time. In order to see if you may have OSA, ask yourself these questions:
Do I wake up gasping for air?
Do I feel sleepy or fatigued during the day?
Do I seem irritable or distracted during the day?
Am I falling asleep behind the wheel of a car or at work?
Make an appointment with an ENT specialist right away if you answered yes to any of these questions. Snoring, gasping for breath, and excessive tiredness are all symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. If you want to prevent major health consequences, you should take action now and contact the nearest ENT specialist clinic immediately.
