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What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive
Sleep Apnea occurs when a person repeatedly stops breathing during
sleep. Breathing stops because the upper airway, above the vocal
cords collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs.
OSA disrupts sleep patterns, causing excessive sleepiness or fatigue
during the day.
What causes
the airway to collapse during sleep?
-
Extra
tissue in the back of the airway such as large tonsils
-
Decrease
in the tone of the muscles holding the airway open
-
The
tongue falling back and closing off the airway
How many
people have Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
-
4
in 100 middle-aged men and 2 in 100 middle-aged women have Obstructive
Sleep Apnea
-
Most
OSA sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated
-
Obstructive
Sleep Apnea is as common as adult asthma
What happens
if Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not treated?
Possible increased risk for:
-
High
blood pressure
-
Heart
disease and heart attack
-
Stroke
-
Fatigue-related
motor vehicle and work accidents
-
Decreased
quality of life
Sleep
Fast Facts
What should you do if you suspect you may have Obstructive Sleep
Apnea?
-
See
your doctor; evaluation by a doctor specializing in sleep disorders
is recommended
-
Have
a sleep study done; a 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 Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
The most common treatment is:
-
CPAP
(Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), Pronounced "see-PAP".
Other less common treatments include surgery and oral appliances,
which may be effective in certain individuals.
-
Any
treatments should include weight loss if needed, exercise, and
avoidance of alcohol, sedatives, and hypnotic drugs (legal or
illicit)
How does
CPAP therapy work?
-
CPAP
treats Obstructive Sleep Apnea by providing a gentle flow of
positive-pressure air through a mask to splint the airway open
during sleep.
-
Breathing
becomes regular
-
Snoring
stops
-
Restful
sleep is restored
-
Quality
of life is improved
-
Risk
for high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, stroke,
and motor vehicle and work related accidents are reduced.
Obstructive
Sleep Apnea is a serious, potentially life-altering and life-threatening
condition that is:
-
Easily
identified
-
Effectively
treated
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