Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the word apnea is derived from the Greek word “apnoia”, meaning “without breath.” Sleep apnea is a respiratory condition, which is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. In the most common form of sleep apnea, called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the tissues of the upper airway collapse, and the airway collapse is eventually stopped by a brief awakening, during which the airway reopens and the person resumes breathing. In severe cases, this can occur once every minute during sleep, and may lead to a profound sleep disruption. OSA is most often caused by excessive fat in the neck area. This condition has a strong association with certain measures of obesity, like neck size, and body-mass index (BMI) (you can calculate your BMI here). Other causes of this condition include medical disorders like enlargement of the tonsils and hypothyroidism. This condition is also more common in patients with retrognathia (set-back chin), who can have this condition without being overweight.
Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) may include the following:
- Snoring, with pauses in breathing
- Excessive daytime drowsiness
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Restless sleep
- Problem with mental function
- High blood pressure
- Depression
- Problem with excess weight
- Large neck
- Airway crowding
- Morning headaches
If you exhibit OSA symptoms, it is important that you visit your health care provider, or an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, for a complete examination and an accurate diagnosis. Depending upon whether your OSA is mild, moderate or severe, your health care provider will select the treatment that is best for you.
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