Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that causes a person to stop breathing frequently during sleep.
Signs that you may have OSA or be at risk for developing OSA
- Your partner observes loud snoring and gaps in breathing
- You find yourself fatigued or excessively sleepy during the day
- You have a neck size greater than 17" (male) or greater than 16" (female)
- You're overweight
- You have a history of Hypertension
Patients with OSA suffer experiences of restless, broken and non-restorative sleep. In severe cases, people are awakened hundreds of times during the night. Most people are completely unaware of these sleep interruptions.
Sleep apnea is a potentially life threatening condition that can be easily diagnosed and effectively treated. Untreated, OSA tends to get progressively worse. It is important to discuss this issue with your family doctor.
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| Normal Sleep |
Obstructed Sleep |
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| Did you know? |
During an average night’s sleep, an obstructive sleep apnea sufferer may experience 60 apneas an hour, or 400 per night. Data has shown that the risk of long-term mortality increases when patients experience 20 or more apneas per hour.
"OSA sufferers are three times more likely to have automobile accidents than non-sufferers.In fact, according to a study conducted by the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, each year, 980 lives could potentially be saved and $11.1 billion in automobile accident costs could be avoided if drivers who suffer from OSA received successful sleep apnea treatment."
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| What are the risks of untreated Sleep Apnea? |
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Depression
Symptoms of menopause
Stroke
Diabetes
Fatigue-related motor vehicle and work accidents
Decreased concentration and memory
Decreased quality of life
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| Does it mean I have sleep apnea because I snore? |
A small amount of airway blockage will result in snoring. However, just because you snore - doesn't mean you have OSA. Snoring is the vibration that results from air passing through a partially narrowed airway. In a person with OSA, the narrowing of the airway is far more significant and sometimes causes a complete reduction of airflow to the lungs. People with OSA will either partially or completely awaken during these periods. Most are completely unaware this happens.
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| What causes the throat to narrow and create snoring or OSA? |
There are several different causes. Some of these include: increasing age, obesity, and nose or throat problems. Alcohol consumption and sleeping tablets relax the airway muscles potentially causing, or worsening snoring and OSA.
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