What Everyone Should Know About Obstructive Sleep Apnea

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea? Statistics show that 30 million Americans suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Twice as many men suffer from this condition as women. OSA goes undiagnosed in up to 80% of men and 90% of women. The Relaxation of the throat tissues during sleep, causes a blockage to the airway passages, in return sleep is disrupted What are the dangers of OSA? When left untreated, risks of stroke, heart disease, heart attacks, hypertension, fatigue and related automobile and work accidents are elevated. 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person repeatedly stops breathing, which also includes a period of shallow breathing time while asleep. These occurrences can occur up to 300 times a night. One can see how this would have a dramatic affect on a person's quality of sleep. Many of us wonder why is it that we are always tired, and sleepy. This condition surely would cause a problem such as this to develop. 

What are the symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea? 

The most common symptom of OSA is excessive sleepiness, which is a direct result from the constant sleep disruption. Those with Obstructive Sleep Apnea often have a very loud and heavy snore. There may also be sounds of choking or a loud snore followed by silence. These periods of silence can last as long as 20 or more seconds and can occur many times an hour. Poor sleep is a result as is a reduced level of oxygen in the blood. It should be noted although 25% of people snore, only about 5% have sleep apnea.

Other symptoms include: 

1) Loss of energy 

2) Anxiety 

3) Forgetfulness 

4) Trouble concentrating 

5) Headaches 

6) Changes in behavior 

7) Depression 

It should be noted that not all sufferers of OSA experience all of these symptoms. 

The heath problems that can occur include the following. Hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, psychiatric problems, impotence, cognitive dysfunction, and memory loss. 

What is the Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea? 

Systems of OSA

Credit: markstout

Copyright: markstout