What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Tom Babu, Consultant Diabetologist & Endocrinologist - Written by Jasni Salim - Updated on 07/09/2024

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. People with obstructive sleep apnea repeatedly stop and start breathing while they sleep. It happens when something gets in the way of your airway and causes it to shut down and stop air from passing through it while you are asleep. This blockage reduces the amount of available oxygen, and the brain wakes you up partially so that you can breathe.

Though this reaction helps you breathe, it also wakes you up. The worst case of these interruptions is that your sleep deteriorates, which can lead to many issues that may have an impact on your daily functioning or even be harmful.

Who is affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

OSA can affect anyone, but it is more likely in certain situations and groups of people:

• Before age 50, a higher incidence is observed amongst individuals born with a male sex assignment (AMAB). It equally has an impact on people assigned females at birth, even after they have reached the age of 50.
• As people grow older, the chances of developing OSA rise.
• It reveals that being overweight or obese means that the disease is very likely to develop.
• It is also more likely to develop in people of Black, Hispanic, or Asian descent.

What leads to Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

OSA is categorized as the most prevalent type of sleep apnea, and some factors can lead to its occurrence or development. Such factors can operate singly and simultaneously as well. Here are some possible causes:

• Excess weight and obesity: Some of the things that may cause breathing problems at night include obesity since excess weight may force the windpipe to bend. OSA also messes with how the body uses energy, making it hard to speed up metabolism to handle weight gain. This makes losing extra weight more difficult.
• Structural causes: Obesity, having an underbite, a small lower jaw, a large tongue or large tonsils or adenoids, and a neck size greater than 16 inches or 40 centimeters put one at a higher risk of OSA.
• Genetic conditions: Also, genetic disorders such as Down syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome causing changes in the shape of the head and neck also raise risks.

Symptoms

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Feeling very sleepy during the day.
• Loud snoring.
• Someone noticing you stop breathing while you sleep.
• Waking up at night gasping or choking.
• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat.
• Morning headaches.
• Difficulty concentrating during the day.
• Mood changes like feeling depressed or easily irritated.
• High blood pressure.
• Lower interest in sex.

When to consult a Doctor?

Talk to a doctor if you or your partner notice these signs:

• Snoring loud enough to disturb your sleep or others' sleep.
• Waking up gasping or choking.
• Pauses in your breathing while you sleep.
• Feeling extremely tired during the day, which might make you fall asleep while working, watching TV, or even driving.

Not everyone who snores has obstructive sleep apnea, and snoring isn't always a serious issue. But if your snoring is loud and includes pauses, especially when sleeping on your back, it's important to see a doctor and get obstructive sleep apnea treatment.

But, if you are highly often tired, sleepy, or irritable during the daytime, consult with your doctor. Other sleep disorders may bring the condition of excessive daytime sleepiness, such as narcolepsy.

How is Obstructive Sleep Apnea treated, and can it be cured?

Treatment options for OSA are diverse depending on the severity of the condition and increasingly contributing factors. Unfortunately, none of these remedies offer an ultimate cure since they also have shortcomings that differ only in the occurrence of the apnea episode or decrease its severity. Potential OSA treatment options include:

• Conservative (non-medical) approaches
• Positive airway pressure and adaptive ventilation devices
• Oral appliances (mouthguards)
• Nerve stimulators
• Surgical interventions

Conclusion

In summary, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious condition that many people ignore, but it can greatly affect your health and how you live your life. By knowing the signs, the risk factors, and the possible treatments, you can act to get help. If you have symptoms like feeling very sleepy during the day, snoring loudly, or breathing problems while you sleep, it's important to speak to a doctor.

There are many ways to treat OSA, including changes in your lifestyle, using special devices, or even surgery. Finding the right treatment can help you sleep better, feel more energetic during the day, and live a healthier life overall. Don't wait for your symptoms to get worse; get in touch with Silverline Hospital, the best diabetes, thyroid disorders, and endocrinology hospital in Kochi, today to improve your sleep and your well-being. It is the best hospital for obstructive sleep apnea treatment as they have highly experienced medical professionals providing exceptional care and the best-ever treatment at a reasonable cost.